German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann returned to Germany on June 19, 2026, after being released from detention in Syria and traveling through Jordan [1, 2, 3]. She had been arrested on January 18, 2026, in the city of Raqqa during a military operation conducted by Syrian government forces [2].
Michelmann, a freelance journalist who had worked in Syria since 2002, was covering stories for the Istanbul-based socialist Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and the Ozgur TV channel alongside Kurdish-Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad, who disappeared around the same time [1, 2]. According to Syrian officials, Michelmann and a companion attempted to escape custody during the investigation [2].
She was reportedly held in solitary confinement for an extended period during her detention [1, 2]. The Syrian Information Ministry stated Michelmann initially claimed to be Spanish and affiliated with a UN organization, but these claims were later disproven [2].
The German embassy in Damascus and Beirut provided consular assistance and lobbied for Michelmann’s release throughout her detention [2]. Her brother, Antonius Michelmann, confirmed her release and said, "We went to collect her. She was doing well, given the circumstances" [1].
Syria’s government underwent changes in December 2024, with Ahmed al-Sharaa now leading the administration in Damascus. Kurds and minorities in Syria remain concerned amid ongoing conflicts and instability [1, 2].
Michelmann’s release ended over five months of detention in Syria, and her return to Germany on June 19 marks a significant development in the case.
