Germany has arrested five suspects of committing war crimes in Syria a decade ago.
Four of those detained are stateless Syrian Palestiniansand the fifth is a Syrian citizen. The men, identified as Jihad A., Mahmoud A., Sameer S., Wael S. and Mazhar J., are accused of commit crimes against humanity and war crimes.
According to investigations, the suspects were affiliated with the Free Palestine Movement in Syria at that time.
The universal jurisdiction of Germany allowed authorities to make arrests. This law allows German courts to prosecute crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.
Besides, coordinated with Sweden in a joint investigationand the Swedish Prosecutor’s Office also arrested three people for crimes against international law related to Syria in 2012.
Anwar al-Bunni, a lawyer who helps prosecute Syrians in Germany suspected of war crimes, has been working on this case for three years. The Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research has also played a crucial role in the investigation.
This arrest demonstrates the Germany’s commitment to international justice and accountability for heinous crimes. Collaboration between countries is essential to ensure that those responsible do not go unpunished.
Crimes and abuses carried out during 2012 and 2014
Among other crimes, all suspects allegedly participated in the violent repression of a peaceful protest anti-government protest in Al Yarmouk on July 13, 2012, specifically shooting at civilian protesters. Six people were killed and others seriously injured, according to the German statement.
The German federal prosecutor alleged that some of them also severely and repeatedly mistreated civilians by Al Yarmouk. The events occurred between mid-2012 and 2014.
In one case, a person was handed over to the Syrian Military Intelligence Service, which reportedly imprisoned and tortured them. In another case, a woman was allegedly forced to pay with his family jewels for the release of his son minor, and was threatened with rape.
