12-06-2011, 03:05 AM
Is 'Gay Girl in Damascus' blogger really a student at Edinburgh University?
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:49 PM on 10th June 2011
A blogger who has become an internet sensation with her tales of the Syrian uprising could in fact be an Edinburgh-based hoaxer.
Amina Arraf won support for her outspoken criticism of the Syrian regime after she began posting under the name 'A Gay Girl in Damascus'.
But after a letter claiming to be from her cousin said she had gone missing in the Syrian capital Damascus, having possibly been arrested by the authorities, questions began to be asked about how genuine the blog is.
![[Image: article-2002101-0C74F6FD00000578-962_468x543.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/10/article-2002101-0C74F6FD00000578-962_468x543.jpg)
Fake? This photo, used by prolific lesbian blogger Amina Arraf was said to have been stolen from the Facebook of Londoner Jelena Lecic
Reports in the U.S. suggest that Miss Arraf, who claims to have been born in the States, has been sending emails from a computer with an Edinburgh IP address.
One commentator has suggested she may even be a student at Edinburgh University, having previously hinted at plans to study there.
During an interview she gave in April, Arraf wrote: 'I've been trying to write a slightly fictionalised autobiography for some time (fictionalised as in other people have their names changed) and when the Arab revolutions began, I realised I wanted to get my voice out there.
'The force of events has meant that my blog is more about events than anything else right now.'
![[Image: article-2002101-0C809CBE00000578-69_468x315.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/10/article-2002101-0C809CBE00000578-69_468x315.jpg)
Prestigious: Syrian blogger Amina Arraf is reportedly studying at Edinburgh University after her IP address was located there
However, suspicions were raised earlier this week when photographs supposedly showing Arraf were, in fact, revealed to be taken from the Facebook page of a young London woman, Jelena Lecic.
American blogger Paula Brooks said she started communicating with Arraf via email in February but became suspicious about her identity when she saw the Edinburgh IP address.
Arraf reportedly told Miss Brooks she occasionally used proxy web addresses to protect her safety in Syria.
An email that Arraf sent to Brooks in February read: 'On another subject, do you have any opinions regarding graduate schools for history/classics/archaeology in the UK?
![[Image: article-2002101-0C799E6D00000578-786_468x286.jpg]](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/06/10/article-2002101-0C799E6D00000578-786_468x286.jpg)
Danger: Jelena Lecic told BBC Newsnight the Syrian blogger used her pictures and put her at risk
'I'm applying for Masters' programs (at Edinburgh, St Andrews, Oxford, Cambridge and Kings) with the intention of doing a PhD afterwards (as I can ''commute'' from here for the majority of the time) and wonder if it is a good idea.'
Since Arraf's IP address is in Edinburgh, Brooks has suggested that Arraf could have been blogging from the Scottish capital all along.
Arraf also reportedly told Brooks that she was related to Najah Al-Attar, the current vice president of Syria, who attended the university.
U.S. Embassy officials in Syria are said to be urgently trying to establish further details about Arraf.
Edinburgh University said it could neither 'confirm nor deny' whether Arraf was studying there.
Gay girl in Damascus: Followers of the blog have started a campaign for her to be freed after she was reportedly taken away by authorities in Syria
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 3:49 PM on 10th June 2011
A blogger who has become an internet sensation with her tales of the Syrian uprising could in fact be an Edinburgh-based hoaxer.
Amina Arraf won support for her outspoken criticism of the Syrian regime after she began posting under the name 'A Gay Girl in Damascus'.
But after a letter claiming to be from her cousin said she had gone missing in the Syrian capital Damascus, having possibly been arrested by the authorities, questions began to be asked about how genuine the blog is.
Fake? This photo, used by prolific lesbian blogger Amina Arraf was said to have been stolen from the Facebook of Londoner Jelena LecicReports in the U.S. suggest that Miss Arraf, who claims to have been born in the States, has been sending emails from a computer with an Edinburgh IP address.
One commentator has suggested she may even be a student at Edinburgh University, having previously hinted at plans to study there.
During an interview she gave in April, Arraf wrote: 'I've been trying to write a slightly fictionalised autobiography for some time (fictionalised as in other people have their names changed) and when the Arab revolutions began, I realised I wanted to get my voice out there.
'The force of events has meant that my blog is more about events than anything else right now.'
Prestigious: Syrian blogger Amina Arraf is reportedly studying at Edinburgh University after her IP address was located thereHowever, suspicions were raised earlier this week when photographs supposedly showing Arraf were, in fact, revealed to be taken from the Facebook page of a young London woman, Jelena Lecic.
American blogger Paula Brooks said she started communicating with Arraf via email in February but became suspicious about her identity when she saw the Edinburgh IP address.
Arraf reportedly told Miss Brooks she occasionally used proxy web addresses to protect her safety in Syria.
An email that Arraf sent to Brooks in February read: 'On another subject, do you have any opinions regarding graduate schools for history/classics/archaeology in the UK?
Danger: Jelena Lecic told BBC Newsnight the Syrian blogger used her pictures and put her at risk 'I'm applying for Masters' programs (at Edinburgh, St Andrews, Oxford, Cambridge and Kings) with the intention of doing a PhD afterwards (as I can ''commute'' from here for the majority of the time) and wonder if it is a good idea.'
Since Arraf's IP address is in Edinburgh, Brooks has suggested that Arraf could have been blogging from the Scottish capital all along.
Arraf also reportedly told Brooks that she was related to Najah Al-Attar, the current vice president of Syria, who attended the university.
U.S. Embassy officials in Syria are said to be urgently trying to establish further details about Arraf.
Edinburgh University said it could neither 'confirm nor deny' whether Arraf was studying there.
Gay girl in Damascus: Followers of the blog have started a campaign for her to be freed after she was reportedly taken away by authorities in Syria
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.