Syrian Dissident Denies Charges as Verdict Set for March 25

Defense lawyers for leading Syrian opposition figure Louay Hussein denied all charges against him Tuesday as a criminal court in Damascus said it would announce its verdict on March 25.

In a hearing at the second chamber of Damascus' Criminal Court, Hussein's lawyers demanded an acquittal of their client and a lift on his travel ban.

"The accusations against me are despicable and the regime could apply them to anyone," Hussein told Agence France-Presse.

Hussein, head of the Building the Syrian State party, was detained in November and accused of "weakening national sentiment and spreading false information," according to one of his lawyers, Michel Chammas.

He was detained for three months in the Adra prison, northeast of Damascus, and released on bail on February 25.

Hussein had said that President Bashar Assad's regime was "in collapse" and had called for a "coalition government bringing together the regime and the opposition."

"All of the public articles by Louay Hussein and all of his positions show that he supports a peaceful solution in Syria," his defense team said.

During his last hearing in court, the prosecutor requested five years in prison for Hussein in line with the charges against him, Chammas told AFP.

After his release on bail Hussein had told AFP he would continue his opposition efforts and remain in Damascus, saying: "If you want to fight for your country, you have to be there."