Germany arrests Syrian over alleged crimes against humanity in Aleppo
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – German authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of a Syrian national suspected of committing crimes against humanity during the early years of the Syrian conflict in 2011.
The suspect, arrested on Sep. 30 and identified only as Anwar S. in accordance with German privacy laws, is accused of leading a shabiha militia loyal to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office, between April and November 2011, the militia under Anwar S.’s command allegedly attacked peaceful demonstrators in Aleppo on at least eight occasions, primarily after Friday prayers.
Prosecutors said the militia used batons, metal rods, and electric shock devices to disperse protests, inflicting severe injuries on civilians. In one case, a detainee reportedly died as a result of torture while in custody.
The indictment further alleges that some protesters detained by Anwar S.’s men were handed over to Syrian intelligence agencies, where they faced additional torture and mistreatment.
Germany has in recent years pursued several cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows courts to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed abroad.
The fall of Assad’s regime in late 2024, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a jihadist group that had previously cooperated with al-Qaeda and ISIS—marked a turning point in Syria’s conflict, leaving open questions about justice and reconciliation for the war’s victims.