German court to try Assad regime for war crimes

German court to try Assad regime for war crimes
Two former members of Assad regime’s secret police have appeared in a German court accused of crimes against humanity for their role in a regime-run detention centre where thousands of protesters were tortured.

The trial is the first time that representatives of the Assad regime have faced trial abroad for war crimes allegedly committed during Syria’s years-long conflict.

The two men, who were arrested in Germany early last year, face testimony from several Syrian refugees who allege they were tortured at the detention centre known as Al Khatib, near Damascus.

Prosecutors allege one man was in charge of the site and thereby responsible for crimes against humanity, rape and the murder of at least 58 people.

The indictment by German prosecutors accuses him of complicity in more than 4,000 cases of torture. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

The other man is accused of being part of a police squad that detained protesters and brought them back to Al Khatib where they were then mistreated — he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

At least nine torture victims are represented as co-plaintiffs in the case, they and several others are expected to be called as witnesses.

"This trial is not only important for us personally" one witness said. "It is also important for the victims who are alive, who have also been in prison and also for the victims who are no longer alive."

" the first time in my life that I experienced a fair trial," said another co-plaintiff.

The trial has been described as a pivotal moment in the effort to bring Assad officials accused of crimes to justice.

A United Nations expert panel published a report two years ago detailing the extent to which prisoner abuse is widespread in Syria, particularly in Assad detention centres.

The criminal trial starting today for crimes against humanity by the Assad regime is historic, said Germany's justice minister, Christine Lambrecht.

"This sends a clear message: War criminals must not feel safe anywhere."

The defendants' lawyers declined to comment to reporters ahead of the trial, which is scheduled to last several months.

The men, who themselves left Syria to seek asylum in Germany before their arrest in February 2019, remain in prison.

Based on AP

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