Koblenz, Apr. 27 (SANA) The Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany, has begun Monday the trial of a former security member of the ousted regime on charges of crimes against humanity, over his involvement in acts of torture against detainees in Damascus during the revolution.
According to Tagesschau, the Federal Criminal Police Office arrested the suspect in late May 2025 in the town of Pirmasens, where he has remained in pretrial detention since his arrest.
The indictment submitted by the federal prosecutor states that the accused served between April 2011 and mid-April 2012 at “al-Khatib” security branch in Damascus, where he took part in more than 100 interrogation sessions during which detainees were subjected to severe physical torture. Methods cited include electric shocks, beatings with cables, and forcing detainees to remain in painful positions for extended periods.
The indictment further indicates that at least 70 detainees died as a result of harsh detention conditions and ill-treatment.
In a related context, German authorities had launched in March a trial of another suspect on charges of crimes against humanity, including the killing of demonstrators during his leadership of a militia affiliated with the ousted regime in the city of Aleppo.
These proceedings form part of broader international efforts to prosecute crimes committed during the Syrian revolution, as part of advancing accountability and ensuring that perpetrators of serious violations are brought to justice.
H.H
