Majd Kamalmaz (January 6, 1958 – after February 2017) was a Syrian-American[1] psychotherapist from Arlington, Virginia, who was detained in Syria in February 2017 and held until his death was announced on May 18, 2024.
Majd Kamalmaz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | January 6, 1958[1] Syria |
| Died | c. 2017 Syria |
| Known for | Being detained in Syria |
| Medical career | |
| Field | Psychotherapy |
Kamalmaz was running a nonprofit in Lebanon helping refugees deal with trauma when he drove to Syria in mid-February 2017 to visit a relative who had cancer. Once in Damascus, he called his wife to tell her that he had arrived safely. After that, the family never heard from him again.[2]
His children appealed to Donald Trump for help.[3][4][5] Kamalmaz was reported to be diabetic.[6][7]
In early 2020, Kash Patel arrived in Damascus to negotiate the release of Kamalmaz and Austin Tice. The negotiations were unsuccessful.[8]
Kamalmaz's family is a part of the Bring Our Families Home campaign, which advocates for bringing home wrongful detainees and hostages. Kamalmaz's image is featured in a 15-foot mural in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) along with other Americans wrongfully detained abroad.[5]
On May 18, 2024, The New York Times reported that national security officials told his family that highly credible, classified information indicated that he had died in captivity.[2]
Miller & Chevalier and SETF (Syrian Emergency Task Force) Announced Civil Lawsuit Against Assad Regime seeking at least $70 million in punitive and compensatory damages for the unlawful detention, torture, and killing of Majd Kamalmaz.[9][10]
| External image | |
|---|---|
 https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/majd-kamalmaz/@@download.pdf |
References
edit- 1 2 "MAJD KAMALMAZ - Wanted Poster". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- 1 2 Goldman, Adam; Benner, Katie (May 18, 2024). "Texas Family Finally Learns Fate of Man Held in Syria". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ↑ "Majd Kamalmaz: Daughters of American detained in Syria make public appeal to President Trump for help - CBS News". CBS News. January 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 6, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ↑ "'His Success Gives Us Hope': Family Calls on Trump to Free Man Imprisoned in Syria. Fox News Insider. "As seen on The Story with Martha MacCallum" January 21, 2019. 10:22 pm". Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- 1 2 McLaughlin, Eliott C. (January 22, 2019). "Family of doctor detained in Syria calls on Trump to broker deal for his release". CNN. Archived from the original on January 27, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ↑ Yee, Vivian (January 20, 2019). "An American Disappeared in Syria 2 Years Ago. His Family Wants Trump to Help". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ↑ Nissenbaum, Dion (January 20, 2019). "Seeking Help, Family Breaks Silence on American Missing in Syria". Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ Nissenbaum, Dion; Malsin, Jared (October 18, 2020). "WSJ News Exclusive | Top White House Official Went to Syria for Hostage Talks". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
- ↑ "Miller & Chevalier and SETF Announce Civil Lawsuit Against Assad Regime for Unlawful Detention, Torture, and Killing of American Psychotherapist". Miller & Chevalier. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ↑ "Miller & Chevalier and SETF Announce Civil Lawsuit Against Assad Regime for Unlawful Detention, Torture, and Killing of American Psychotherapist". Syrian Emergency Task Force. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
External links
edit- Majd Kamalmaz's profile at the FBI's Most Wanted Kidnappings and Missing Persons
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