BEIRUT — Syrian security forces arrested opposition figure Louay Hussein Nov. 12 on the Lebanese-Syrian border while en route to Beirut, where he was due to fly to Spain to visit family living there since early 2012.

His political party, Building the Syrian State (BSS), reported that Hussein was arrested that afternoon on the Syrian-Lebanese border and referred to the judiciary in Damascus. The movement demanded his immediate release, blaming the Syrian regime for any harm that might befall him.

BSS deputy leader Anas Joudeh told Al-Monitor by phone from Damascus, “This arrest comes within the framework of the Syrian regime’s ongoing acts of suppression and clamping down on political freedoms and opposition politicians. We are surprised by this arbitrary arrest, which Syrians have become accustomed to.

“Hussein was referred to the first investigating judge facing ready-made charges fabricated by the Syrian regime, as is the case with any pro-opposition political activist. He has been accused of ‘weakening national sentiment and the morale of the nation.’ Hussein is still detained at the Justice Palace in Damascus, waiting to reappear before the judge again tomorrow,” Joudeh added.