Palestinian Islamic Jihad Co-Founder Faces “Unlawful” Deportation From Syria
Adel al-Natour, a 71-year-old co-founder and former member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), is facing possible deportation from Syria after being held without trial for nearly a year, according to his family.
Syrian security forces detained Natour at his home near Damascus on 18 September 2025. His family says he has had no formal charges, access to a lawyer or a trial and has been allowed to see relatives only four times.
His daughter, Israa, said Natour had lost around 20 kilograms when the family first saw him months after his detention. She said authorities previously assured the family that he would eventually be released.
The family was recently informed that Natour would be deported within 10 days. They are attempting to challenge the decision but say lawyers and courts have refused to take the case because there are no formal charges to contest.
Natour helped establish PIJ in 1981 but left the organisation in 1995, according to his family. He later became known for advocating neutrality and humanitarian assistance during Syria’s civil war, including helping displaced people in Yarmouk camp.
Human rights advocates have described his detention as unlawful and part of a wider pattern of arbitrary detention under Syria’s interim authorities. Bassam Alahmad of Syrians for Truth and Justice said Natour has the right to know why he was arrested, access evidence against him, legal representation and a fair trial.
Natour and his family hold Syrian residency documents but are not Syrian citizens. His family says their travel documents were confiscated during the security forces’ search of their home, leaving them with few options if the deportation proceeds.
His son Muamen warned that deporting his father could create a precedent for other Palestinian refugees in Syria to be forcibly removed. The family says Natour would prefer remaining in prison rather than being deported from the country they consider their home.
