The Syrian regime is trying to convey the message it is controlling the country and will punish officials responsible for the violence. Within this framework, a cousin of the Syrian president has been banned from traveling abroad.
State-run SANA news agency reported Monday the ban was imposed on Brig. Gen. Atef Najib, who ran the security department in the southern province of Daraa. The uprising erupted there in mid-March after the arrest of 15 teenagers.
Judge Mohammed Deeb al-Muqatran of the Special Judicial Committee conveyed the travel ban is precautionary in order for Najib to be available for questioning. Al-Muqatran was quoted as saying on Monday that "no one has immunity, whoever he is."
