A GERMAN journalist who went missing in Syria more than three months ago is likely detained in a prison in Damascus, her lawyer said today, as international calls for her release mounted.

Frank Jasenski, the lawyer representing Eva Maria Michelmann, said: “We assume that her health is very, very poor and we demand her immediate release.”

Ms Michelmann, 36, was last seen on January 18, when Syrian government forces reportedly detained her and a Kurdish-Turkish colleague, Ahmed Polad, during military operations in Raqqa, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said.

Ms Michelmann had been reporting from Syria since 2022, and, until recently, her family had no information on her whereabouts.

Joud Hasan, of the CPJ, said: “The Syrian government’s lack of transparency regarding the detention and whereabouts of the two reporters is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about press freedom.

“Authorities must immediately clarify their legal status, ensure their safety and grant them access to legal counsel and family members.”

The Berlin-based Kurdish human rights organisation HAWAR.help also called for Ms Michelmann’s release and demanded that she get independent medical and legal support in prison.

The two journalists worked for Istanbul-based Etkin News Agency ETHA and Ozgur TV, which operates across several cities in Europe.

On Friday, the German Foreign Ministry said it had gained “direct access” to Ms Michelmann following intensive efforts, but did not give details of her condition or location, citing privacy rules.

The Syrian Information Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the CPJ, Syrian authorities have reportedly initiated criminal proceedings and charges remain unclear.