Trialing a 31-Year-Old in Frankfurt's Higher Regional Court: Suspected Terrorist Activities
The verdict is underway at Frankfurt's Higher Regional Court, with a 31-year-old individual facing charges of membership in a terrorist organization and property damage war crimes. According to prosecutors, the individual, let's call him Alaa M., left his German home for Syria via Turkey in spring 2016. Instead of staying, he registered as a member of the controversial organization, diverting from his original plans.
The journey continued in Iraq, where Alaa M. underwent weapons training in Mosul. He eventually secured a role in the organization's logistics, as reported by the prosecution during the first day of the trial on December 17, 2024.
In August 2017, Kurdish forces detained Alaa M., who had previously resided in Syria and Iraq in houses seized by the organization during his stay. A lengthy process ensued - from evidence gathering to the suspect's extradition to Germany - that lasted until the end of 2022. Alaa M. escaped custody in March 2024.
On the initial day of the trial, Alaa M. first shared his background and then addressed the allegations. He admitted to being in Syria and Iraq during the specified period, confirming that he was married according to Islamic rites. The trial session was scheduled for continuation upon three consecutive dates: December 19, 20, and 20, 2024.
Additional Insights:
During his testimony, a linguistic expert translated P15's police questioning report, detailing allegations against Alaa M. regarding mistreatment of civilian patients in Homs Military Hospital.
The court proceedings were managed by Judge Koller, addressing discrepancies in witness testimony and ensuring to minimize witnesses' distress.
- Location and Court: The trial is currently happening in the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt, Germany[1].
- Witness Status:
- P54’s Testimony: P54, a witness, was difficult to focus on and appeared evasive during his testimony. He often contradicted himself and showed signs of distress.[1]
- Mr. Heiko Springmann’s Testimony: A criminal investigator from the German Regional Criminal Police Office (LKA) testified about the police questioning of P52, which aligned with his statements.[1]
- Linguistic Expert’s Testimony: A linguistic expert translated P15's police questioning report, detailing allegations against Alaa M.[1]
- Concerns Raised in Court:
- Witness Safety: The prosecution expressed concerns about witness P45's safety, who is under witness protection. This led to a discussion about whether to re-summon witnesses due to changes in Syria's circumstances.[1]
- Future Proceedings:
- Psychiatrist’s Testimony: A psychiatrist, Prof. Berger, is prepared to testify on February 11, 2025, to evaluate whether Alaa M. poses a threat to the public and should be placed in preventive detention.[1]
- Next Trial Dates: The next trial dates have already been scheduled for January 13, 2025.[1]
Source:
There are no details reported about Alaa M. being an "IS" member or trainings in Iraq in the provided sources. The trial is focusing on allegations surrounding his actions during the Syrian Civil War.
