UK charges Syrian man with crimes against humanity

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – British authorities charged on Monday a Syrian national living in the United Kingdom with murder as a crime against humanity and torture in connection with alleged attacks against civilians in Syria in 2011.

The 58-year-old suspect, who previously worked for the Syrian Air Force Intelligence in Damascus, faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity, three counts of torture, and one count of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.

According to investigators, the charges relate to the suspect’s alleged role in leading a group tasked with suppressing anti-government demonstrations in suburbs of Damascus during the early stages of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

The case marks the first time prosecutors in the United Kingdom have brought charges of murder as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

The suspect is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. Authorities have not disclosed his identity after his lawyers indicated they will request a court order preventing the publication of his name.

Counter Terrorism Policing said the investigation was launched in November 2020 after receiving a referral containing allegations related to the suspect’s activities while serving in the Syrian armed forces in the early 2010s.

The man was arrested in December 2021 after officers from the War Crimes Unit searched an address in Buckinghamshire.

Helen Flanagan, commander at Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as “extremely serious,” saying they demonstrate the UK’s commitment to its “no safe haven” policy toward individuals suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

By Jwan Shekaki