Omar Hayssam's hospital custody cancelled by court – return to Syria depends on health
Bucharest Court of Appeal has annulled the public custody measure for Omar Hayssam, convicted to 24 years for terrorism. His return to Syria will depend on his medical condition.
Court of Appeal cancels Hayssam's custody; IGI maintains return procedure to Syria
The General Immigration Inspectorate (IGI) has withdrawn the security and surveillance apparatus from the hospital unit where Omar Hayssam was admitted, after the Bucharest Court of Appeal annulled, on 18 September, the Prosecutor's Office ordinance regarding his public custody, according to Cotidianul.ro.
The IGI clarified that the procedure for removal from Romanian territory continues, as the removal decision issued in Hayssam's name remains in force. "Steps regarding return will be carried out according to the evolution of the health condition of the person in question, with respect for all legal provisions," the institution stated.
Defence cites medical risks and dangers in Syria
Hayssam's defence raised before the Court of Appeal serious health problems and argued that air transport could involve significant medical risks. The lawyers also raised the question of dangers he would face in the event of a return to Syria.
According to Government Emergency Ordinance no. 194/2002, "public custody" represents a form of administrative detention applied in the context of removal or expulsion of a foreign national from Romanian territory, the measure permitting authorities to carry out necessary steps for removal under escort.
Released on parole after 24 years of convictions
Omar Hayssam was released on parole from Jilava penitentiary on 11 September, through a final decision of Ilfov Tribunal, which admitted his appeal and annulled the ruling of the 4th Sector Court. He was serving a total sentence of 24 years and four months, resulting from multiple convictions, including one for terrorism in the case of the abduction of three Romanian journalists in Iraq.
Since his release, Hayssam has been hospitalised. Until Friday he had been under surveillance and custody. As he is not a Romanian citizen and does not have regulated residence rights on the country's territory, he is to be removed from Romania under escort by immigration police officers.
The case of the journalists' abduction and previous convictions
Omar Hayssam is primarily known for involvement in the abduction of journalists Marie Jeanne Ion, Sorin Mișcoci and Ovidiu Ohanesian. The three were abducted in Baghdad on 28 March 2005, spent 55 days in captivity and were released in May of the same year.
Hayssam was sent to trial in October 2005. The Bucharest Court of Appeal convicted him in 2007 to 20 years imprisonment for acts of terrorism, a sentence that became final in February 2008 after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal — pronounced in his absence, as he had already fled Romania.
To the terrorism sentence were added 16 years in the "Volvo" case, three years in the "Foresta Nehoiu" case, and in the "Manhattan" case the final sentence reached a total of 24 years and four months.
Source: Cotidianul.ro