Majd Ali Makhlouf, a Syrian from Bustan al-Basha, was detained by security while walking on a street in Latakia on March 9th.

He is a farmer, who never served in the military, because he is an only son.

When his mother went to ask after him, she was told that his crime was “Internet.’ They said that a Sheikh had to come from Idlib to decide his case.

They accused him of contacting al-fullul, or remnants of the old regime, which has become a catch-all accusation.

According to an Alawite American friend of his, Majd frequently contacted him to discuss his fears for the Alawite community.

No one has heard from him since. His house in Bustan al-Basha has been burned along with his orchard of fruit trees.