LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Syrians in Malta who were celebrating the fall of the Baath Party rule after 50 years in power were warned by the police not to wave the Syrian flag while cheering in the streets. Syrians in Malta took to the streets to celebrate as they woke up to news that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country as Islamist-led rebels declared they had taken Damascus in a lightning offensive. Some joined carcades, waving Syrian flags and cheering. Others joined the peaceful celebrations in various Maltese localities. Human rights activist Omar Rababah, who was born in Malta to a Syrian father, said police officers in Hamrun were stopping people with flags in their hands and giving them a warning. “The right for freedom of peaceful assembly, according to the Constitution of Malta, applies to every person, not just every citizen. “Just like no one is stopped when we celebrate the results of general elections in Malta, we should not stop four cars and pedestrians with flags. Do not discriminate,” he said in a Facebook post.
However, those celebrating thanked the European Union and Malta for welcoming Syrians over the years while expressing their overjoy that they finally rid us of the Assad regime. Some described the Assad regime as “mafia that led a government by tyranny”. Many of those who were celebrating have been in Malta for years. Some of them expressed their wish to return to their home country and their families.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photo: xf3/Italpress-
