A TEENAGE BLOGGER has been accused of having a major role in an international espionage ring by the Syrian government.

19-year-old student Tal al-Mallouhi, who writes a blog about Palestine, and is often critical of her country’s human rights record. Now, however, she has been blamed for sharing information which led to an attack against a Syrian army officer by the unnamed country she is said to be spying for.

Mallouhi had been questioned last December and immediately held for questioning, said the Guardian, while her personal belongings were confiscated.

Amnesty International has appealed for her release, while the Human Rights Watch blog says her detention is exemplary of the “arbitrary behaviour” of the Syrian authorities.

Mallouhi had not been visited by anyone in her family since her detention until Sunday 26 September, when her parents visited her at the Duma women’s prison 20km north-west of the capital, Damascus. The visit had raised hopes that she may have been considered for release, but to no avail.

It is understood her parents hadn’t publicised their daughter’s detention in the hope they could have her released without requiring a high-profile political campaign.

Vigils in protest at her detention have been held across the Arabic world, with demonstrations in Cairo, Lahore and Sana’a. She is said to be the youngest prisoner of conscience in the Arab world.