Reps. Bilirakis and Maloney Release Statements in Response to Kidnapping of Syrian Bishops

Congressman Bilirakis: "I am deeply concerned for Metropolitan Ibrahim and Metropolitan Yaziji's safety, and I call for their immediate release and safe return to Aleppo. These men of God have faithfully served the Orthodox community during the ongoing conflict in Syria and their kidnapping highlights the troubling rise in abductions. I am also deeply saddened to hear of the death of their driver at the hands of these unknown assailants. This type of tragedy only heightens the need for the Assad regime to step aside. The United States needs to identify pro-democracy elements within Syria, so the country may work to establish a new government based on democratic institutions that promote and respect human rights and religious freedoms for all."

Congresswoman Maloney: "It is a travesty that Metropolitan Yohanna Ibrahim, the Syriac Archbishop of Aleppo, and Metropolitan Boulos Yaziji, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo, who were traveling near the Turkish border of Syria, were kidnapped as they carried out humanitarian work in the region. Not only were these religious leaders abducted, but their driver, an innocent victim, was murdered by these armed individuals. I call on these kidnappers to immediately release these Archbishops, who have nothing to do with the Syrian civil war.

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