Lubna Mrie

When I took a step to make my involvement public, I admit that I did that not knowing the punishment that's awaiting me.

Because at that moment, at that point, I was not really aware of the brutality that my father was capable of

I expected him to be angry, but I did not expect him to be involved in my mother's disappearance in order for me to turn myself in.

And that's something I blamed myself for for years, that if I only did things differently, my mother would have been alive now.

At some point, things become really dangerous in Damascus.

And so I decide to flee to Turkey.

And on the way to Turkey, I get into this conflict with one of the rebel commanders.

And as a result, I feel like I need to

film a video saying that this movement has Alawites and they exist and

It was a way for me to push back against that narrative that was being adopted by both the rebels and the government that all Alawites are supportive of the government.

So I felt responsible to say something.

Exactly.

So I recorded that video and I uploaded it and...

Two days later, I was crossing to Turkey.

And can I read this?

Because it's very painful for me just to recount without... Can I read it?

It's easier for me.

My mother's cell phone number appears on the screen.

I answer immediately.

Mama, can you hear me?