Syria accuses teen blogger of being US spy

The authorities in Syria are accusing a schoolgirl blogger held incommunicado for the past nine months of spying for the American embassy in Egypt, Al Watan newspaper reported on Monday. Citing informed Syrian sources, it said Tal Al Mallohi, 19, who is being held at Duma women's prison near Damascus, "spied for the US embassy in Cairo, resulting in a street attack on a Syrian security services officer last November 17." The daily, which is close to the government, said the attack in the Egyptian capital resulted in the officer being handicapped for the rest of his life. "A woman at the American embassy in Cairo asked Tal to spy on the Syrian embassy there and to get to know intelligence officers," Al Watan said, adding that "the young woman was paid for her services." It added: "Tal Al Mallohi admitted committing espionage and was arrested so justice can take its course. She will appear soon in court." The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on September 20 that Mallohi was summoned for interrogation last December 27 and immediately detained. HRW said security officers went to Mallohi's house and confiscated her computer, some CDs, books and other belongings. Since her arrest, Mallohi's family has not been allowed contact with her, it added, and called for her immediate release.