ISIS murder of Jordanian airman in 2015 results in conviction of Swedish national
Swedish Court Convicts Osama Krayem for ISIS War Crimes and Terrorism
Osama Krayem, a Swedish-born jihadist of Palestinian-Syrian descent, has been convicted for his involvement in ISIS war crimes and terrorism over a timeline from 2014 to 2025. This includes major terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels, as well as the murder of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh in Syria.
The journey of justice began in December 2014 when ISIS militants captured Muath al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian pilot shot down near Raqqa, Syria. Osama Krayem was part of an ISIS cell involved in the brutal murder of the pilot. A video of the execution, showing the pilot being burned alive in a cage, was released in February 2015. Swedish courts found Krayem directly implicated as a co-perpetrator and sentenced him to life imprisonment for this heinous crime.
Krayem's involvement in terrorism did not end with the murder of Muath al-Kasasbeh. In November 2015, he played a significant role in the terrorist attacks in Paris, which claimed the lives of 130 people. His DNA was found in the safe houses used by the attackers, and he helped plan the attacks and obtain weapons. In June 2018, he was extradited to France for trial and in June 2022 was sentenced to 30 years in prison for these crimes. During trials, it was revealed he also planned an attack on Amsterdam airport as part of the same terrorist cell.
In March 2016, Krayem participated in the Brussels airport and metro bombings. CCTV footage showed him purchasing rucksacks later used as bomb carriers, and his DNA was found in terrorism safe houses in Brussels. He confessed to being a suicide bomber at the metro station but claimed he failed to detonate his bomb due to last-minute regret. In 2023, he was found guilty of terrorist murder in Belgium for the attacks and received a life sentence.
After convictions in France and Belgium, Krayem was handed over from France to Sweden in early 2025 for investigation and trial for the murder of the Jordanian pilot. The Stockholm court sentenced him to life imprisonment, recognizing his direct role in the ISIS execution. However, he is required to return to France by late 2025 to continue serving his sentence for the Paris attacks.
The timeline of events and sentences is as follows:
| Year | Event | Jurisdiction | Sentence | |------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------| | Dec 2014 | Capture of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh | Syria/ISIS | - | | Feb 2015 | Pilot burned alive; Krayem present in video | ISIS | Life imprisonment (Sweden) | | 2016 | Paris attacks (Nov 2015) & Brussels bombings | France/Belgium| 30 years (France), Life (Belgium)| | 2023 | Life sentence in Belgium for Brussels attacks | Belgium | Life imprisonment | | 2025 | Life sentence in Sweden for murder of pilot | Sweden | Life imprisonment |
Osama Krayem's extensive involvement in ISIS terrorist operations, including providing direct assistance in European bombings and participation in brutal war crimes in Syria, has resulted in multiple convictions and life sentences across European courts by 2025. However, he continues to deny acting with intent. The court found that Krayem contributed actively to the death of Muath al-Kasasbeh. ISIS was defeated in its last bastions in Syria in 2019. As of now, Osama Krayem's Swedish lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Politics in Europe have been dominated by discussions about war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news, with the case of Osama Krayem being a prime example. With his convictions for ISIS war crimes and terrorism in Sweden, France, and Belgium, Krayem's extensive involvement in ISIS terrorist operations has resulted in multiple life sentences, making him a significant figure in the ongoing global fight against terrorism.
