Berlin, March 27 (SANA) A trial began in the German capital on Friday for a Syrian national accused of committing crimes against humanity and killing protesters while leading a militia loyal to the deposed regime in Aleppo city during the early years of the Syrian revolution.
AFP reported that the 41-year-old defendant faces charges by German prosecutors for involvement in attacks against opposition protesters and for handing some of them over to security agencies affiliated with the deposed regime, where they were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in detention centers. The indictment also states that he led an armed militia that participated in targeting and assaulting demonstrators.
German prosecutor Antonia Ernst said investigations showed that militia members under his command transferred detainees to Syrian security services, where they suffered severe mistreatment. She added that he is also suspected of killing protesters by repeatedly beating them with various objects.
According to the prosecution, these acts were part of a systematic campaign targeting opponents of the ousted regime, bringing the case under Germany’s international law jurisdiction. The defendant also faces eight additional counts linked to crimes against humanity.
German authorities arrested the defendant late last September after years of investigation.
MHD
