Berlin, Jan. 12 (SANA) The Higher Regional Court in the German city of Koblenz began hearing testimonies on Saturday in the trial of five defendants charged with committing war crimes in Yarmouk camp, Damascus, during the early years of the Syrian revolution.
According to German judicial authorities, the State Security Council at the Koblenz court approved the opening of the trial for Wael Sallam, Samir Sallam, Mazhar Jumaan, Mahmoud Arnaout, and Jihad Ahmad. The charges include murder, attempted murder, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, based on events between 2012 and 2014.
Mohannad al-Fayyad, a witness from Yarmouk Camp now living in Germany, said: “The court is hearing my testimony in the case. I confirmed that I saw them during the suppression of a protest, and later recognized them after they arrived in Germany.”
He explained that the witnesses had collected the necessary evidence and documents in collaboration with Syrian human rights activists.
Anwar al-Bunni, head of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research (SCLSR), said: “The center began systematically working on the case in 2019, collecting testimonies and documents related to the activities of armed groups operating in the area.” He added, “The case involves eight suspects: five in Germany and three others in Sweden.”
Regarding the charges, al-Bunni noted that they are divided into war crimes related to the attack and killing of civilians during demonstrations, and crimes against humanity involving high-level orders and a systematic structure of the deposed regime.
According to al-Bunni, this trial is the first in which the siege is classified as a crime against humanity, based on evidence proving that food and medical supplies were deliberately withheld from Yarmouk camp.
He also indicated that new cases are ongoing in Germany and Europe, with the possibility of additional trials in the coming months. Ongoing trials are also taking place in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden, with others expected in Austria.
It is important to note that Germany follows the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing it to prosecute perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, even if committed outside its territory.
R.A
