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ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- A Central New York man says his nephew has been detained by government forces in Syria. Abdelkader Chaar was born in Syracuse in 1989, but moved with his parents to Syria when he was six-years-old.

Charr is currently a medical student in Syria. His uncle, Sam Chaar, lives in Liverpool. He says his nephew was taken away from his Syrian home by government forces on January 8th.

The State Department has told CNN that a U.S. citizen by that name is in custody.

Sam Chaar, who spoke with YNN on the phone, believes his nephew may have recently posted something on Facebook about the Syrian government. He says he has no idea why he was arrested, or what the charges against him are.

Abdelkader Chaar is scheduled to finish his medical studies in the U.S. with a six week rotation set to begin on February 11th at the Cleveland Clinic. His uncle said he then plans to practice medicine in the U.S.

Sam Chaar says the American Embassy is aware of the situation.

A spokesperson for Senator Schumer's office says they have contacted the State Department and are working to find out the details of Chaar's situation and to assist in any way they can.