Syrian supporter of Assad receives life imprisonment in Germany for offenses against human decency.
A German Court Delivers a Lifetime Sentence to a Syrian Ex-Combatant
In a chilling verdict, a German court in Stuttgart has sentenced a former Syrian militiaman, informally referred to as Ammar A, to life in prison on Tuesday for his involvement in crimes against humanity. Witnesses testified that he committed atrocities while fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
The trial, attended by 30 witnesses, exposed gruesome acts of murder and torture committed by Ammar A as part of a pro-government Shia militia in Bosra al-Sham, located in southern Syria. It was revealed that this militia was backed by the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, which intervened in Syria's conflict on behalf of the Assad administration.
One heinous act that stood out during the trial was the execution of an unarmed 21-year-old student in August 2012. Witnesses included the victim's mother and brother, who traveled from all over Germany, as well as from Brazil, Belgium, and the Netherlands, to provide testimonies.
In another incident, the Shia militia arrested three men and subjected them to relentless beatings using Kalashnikovs on their way to a military intelligence detention facility, followed by torturous treatment once they arrived.
The trial saw numerous victims, primarily from Syria, sharing their accounts. Some provided images showing the detention centers they were held captive in and the destruction that the militia wrought upon their homes.
The Syrian conflict, which lasted from 2011 to 2024, allowed the emergence of numerous witnesses willing to share their experiences with the German court. One dramatic moment during the trial occurred when a victim broke down in court as details of the terrible crimes were read aloud.
Germany has been actively pursuing suspects under the principle of universal jurisdiction for crimes committed during Syria's civil war even after President Assad's removal from power. In 2022, former Syrian colonel Anwar Raslan was convicted of overseeing the murders of 27 people and the torture of 4,000 others at the notorious Al-Khatib prison in 2011 and 2012. This was the first international trial for state-sponsored torture in Syrian prisons, and it was hailed as "historic" by human rights advocates.
Three other trials—two in Germany and one in France—are currently underway for offenses committed during Syria's civil war. Meanwhile, Sweden is also handling similar cases[1][2].
(Sources: FRANCE 24, Deutsche Welle, Amnesty International *)
[1] Syrian former government militiaman jailed for life over crimes in Syria[2] Syrian колоnel Anwar Raslan dar Verurteilsprozeß wegen Folter und Mord in Syrien[3] Germany - Syria: Human Rights Council discussion[4] The War Crime Docket: Assad and Syria[5] International Crimes Investigative Team for Syria
- The verdict against Ammar A marks a significant step in addressing war-and-conflicts-related crimes in general-news, as Germany continues to judicially address human rights abuses committed during Syria's conflict.
- The trial, which unveiled several instances of crime-and-justice, such as torture and executions, serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of conflicts on global politics.
- The sentencing of Ammar A, emphasizes the importance of universal jurisdiction in ensuring that those responsible for heinous acts during conflict are held accountable, encouraging justice for victims worldwide.
