Syrian activist remains defiant

Naisse was held after organising public criticism of the regime

A Syrian human rights activist has vowed to go on campaigning despite being certain he will be sent to prison when his trial resumes in October.

Aktham Naisse was released on bail on Monday after four months in detention for demanding greater freedoms.

"I will persist and no-one has asked me to stop," Mr Naisse told AP news.

He was arrested in April on charges of spreading false information and other charges related to opposing the Baath party which has ruled Syria since 1963.

Mr Naisse said he had left half his personal belongings in prison "because I am sure I will return soon".

He said he had expected to be sentenced to a three-year prison sentence when his trial convenes.

I was arrested for saying a few words that anyone in Syria can say Aktham Naisse

However, he was hopeful that the current situation in Syria was more conducive to human rights being respected and to growing pressure for democratic initiatives.

As for his surprise release on bail on Monday, for a bond of 10,000 Syrian pounds, Mr Naisse told AP that it was a positive step.

"My detention was a mistake... I was arrested for saying a few words that anyone in Syria can say," he added.

Health problems

Mr Naisse is head the Committees for the Defence of Democratic Liberties and Human Rights in Syria.

He was detained shortly after he organised a rare demonstration outside Syria's parliament in Damascus calling for the lifting of emergency laws.

In spite of health problems, he went on a hunger strike in July to protest against his detention.

He told AP that for three and a half months he had been kept in solitary confinement and the only the last 20 days had been "somewhat comfortable".