Mohammed Najati Tayyara, a retired school teacher from Homs, was arrested on 12 May 2011 following media interviews he gave about human rights violations committed by Syrian security forces against pro-reform protesters in Syria. He was initially taken to the Political Security branch in Homs and then transferred to the Homs Central Prison. During his detention, Mohammed Najati Tayyara was brought before a criminal court judge and charged under Article 286 of the Syrian Penal Code for “convey[ing] within Syria false news that could debilitate the morale of the nation”. On 29 August 2011, a judge ordered his release on bail pending his trial. However, while in prison awaiting his release, he was re-arrested by Air Force Intelligence officers.