Watching political protests in Syria might have gotten a Middlebury College student studying there jailed by national security forces, his parents said Friday. U.S. officials are continuing to try to contact Tik Root, who last was heard from March 18.
“We’re certain he’s being held,” Tom Root said. “The Syrian government confirmed it. The embassy has been working on getting him out.”
The Syrian Embassy in Washington issued a statement Friday night to CNN about Tik Root’s “situation,” according to a post on the network’s website.
“The Syrian Embassy in Washington was recently made aware of Mr. Pathik Root’s situation and has been following it very closely ever since,” read the statement, which was posted at 7:25 p.m. on the In the Arena blog. “We have been in touch with Mr. Root’s parents, his state Senator, and the US embassy in Syria. This is an unfortunate situation that we hope will be resolved as soon as possible.”
Tom Root said news of his son’s jailing in Syria was preferable to the lack of information during the past week. The developments came as demonstrations mounted in Syria.
News agencies reported that Syrian security forces shot and killed protesters in Dera’a and in other cities. The White House condemned the “brutal repression,” saying it deplored the “arbitrary arrests of human-rights activists and others.”
Tom Root said American diplomats in Damascus have been unable to visit Tik Root or learn anything about his physical condition.
The elder Root said the members of Vermont’s congressional delegation are involved. “They’ve all come to his aid,” Tom Root said.
David Carle, spokesman for Sen. Patrick Leahy, said the delegation has been working directly with the American Consulate in Damascus. Leahy, he said, would withhold comment as discussions about Tik Root’s situation continue between the consulate and the Syrian government.
Tik Root, 21, is a junior at Middlebury majoring in international studies. “My son’s goal in life is to learn more about Middle Eastern peoples and to educate Westerners about them,” Tom Root said, and to help dispel “misperceptions” in the United States about the Middle East and Muslims.
