Netherlands arrests Syrian suspected of crimes against Humanity
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Authorities in the Netherlands arrested on Friday a Syrian man suspected of committing acts of torture and sexual violence against civilians in Syria.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) said the 55-year-old Syrian man was suspected of heading the interrogation department of the National Defense Forces (NDF), armed groups affiliated with the Syrian government forces, between 2013 and 2014.
The man is suspected of committing crimes against humanity such as torture and sexual violence against civilians, according to the OM.
The suspect arrived in the Netherlands in July 2021 and later received a temporary asylum permit.
Shortly after he arrived, the Dutch Police’s International Crimes Team arrested him after receiving a tip that he had been the head of a torture center in the city of Salamiyah in Hama Governorate, west central Syria.
The suspect is scheduled to be questioned by the examining magistrate on Dec. 11.
In the past, Dutch authorities have convicted several Syrian nationals for committing war crimes in Syria.
On May 24, 2022, the OM arrested a 34-year-old Syrian individual over charges that amount to crimes against humanity and war crime during the war in Syria. He was suspected of being a member of the Iranian-backed Liwa al-Quds militia.