Following a wave of action by the College and media outlets from around the world, Middlebury student Pathik (Tik) Root ’12 was released from prison in Damascus, Syria on April 1. Root was held for two weeks by Syrian authorities after being arrested near a protest on March 18. See a timeline of his incarceration here.
An international politics and economics major, Root was originally planning to study at the C.V. Starr-Middlebury School in the Middle East in Alexandria, Egypt for the semester, but he was forced to evacuate in late January as protests gripped the nation.
Root and his parents, Tom Root and Andi Lloyd, along with Middlebury faculty, felt Syria would be a relatively safe alternative for study.
“I did my homework,” Root said. “I prepared, I took every precaution I could [to make sure I was not in danger.]” According to Root, it was thought that extreme state repression in Syria would deter protests of the level reached in Egypt.
Dean of International Programs Jeffrey Cason seconded Root, explaining that in February, Syria was viewed as a safe place to study.
“When students were evacuated from Egypt, Tik (and others) were looking for alternative places to study in the Middle East,” he wrote in an email. “Two places viewed as stable at the time were Syria and Morocco … Neither had a [U.S.] State Department travel warning, and other students were studying in both places.”
While detentions similar to Root’s occur with some frequency to Syrian nationals, it was a surprise to experts in the region that this would happen to an American.
“The fact that it happened to [Root] as an American, that was surprising,” said Quinn Mecham, assistant professor of political science. “But the context in Syria has shifted in the last month or so. The Syrian government is trying to figure out what’s going on … so they’re looking for all possible causes. I’m sure they were very happy to round up anyone, regardless of background in those early protests.”
Root agreed, adding that “[arbitrary arrest] is something the Syrians experience every day.” Syria operates under emergency law, giving police broad arrest and detention powers.
Once the College became aware of Root’s disappearance on March 19, Old Chapel “reached out to people who might have contacts in Syria, through [the College’s] various networks, and asked people to inquire about him,” Cason wrote.
Contacts involved in the process included Middlebury alumnus and former trustee Frank Sesno ’77. Sesno is currently director of the George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. Root himself also commended the work of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) and Ambassador of Syria to the United States Imad Moustapha for their tireless efforts. The College declined to outline in greater detail specifically who was involved in securing Root’s release, citing privacy concerns and the fragility of the situation.
Nevertheless, it was over a week before it was confirmed that Root was, in fact, in Syrian custody. Complicating the matter, added Mecham, was the fact that only recently has the United States had direct diplomatic relations with Syria.
“[The United States] has only recently appointed an ambassador to Syria,” Mecham said. “So the fact that the United States only has a relatively small presence there means that they don’t have extensive experience working with the Syrians on all of these issues … it’s not that surprising that the United States and the Syrian government would have some difficulties communicating.”
Root’s story also gained notoriety through a “tweet” from 2010 Commencement speaker and New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof, as well as through coverage by national and international news organizations.
Root, however, remained unaware of the efforts on his behalf while incarcerated. Denied consular contact, he did not learn of the concerted effort to achieve his freedom until his release. Hearing about the dedication of those involved, he wanted to emphasize his gratitude.
“The College community has just been so amazing throughout [the process],” as well as Leahy’s office and the Syrian Embassy, he said.
However, whether those concerted efforts influenced the Syrian government’s decision to release Root remains unclear.
“I felt that the College was very proactive in its response,” Mecham said. “What I don’t know is if any of it ultimately helped to set the terms of his release. In the end it’s all up to the Syrian government … if they’re going to let him go.”
“The end effect of the notable efforts made by the College and friends in publicizing his case in the media is unclear, but it certainly demonstrated the extent of support for him at home,” Mecham added in an email.
Missing student returns home
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