Swedish court sentences Syrian man to life for war crimes
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A court in Stockholm, Sweden, sentenced on Monday a Syrian man to life imprisonment after convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Yarmouk camp in Damascus in 2014.
The court found that Mahmoud Sweidan, a former senior member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC), was involved in acts of torture and deliberate killings targeting civilians during the siege of the camp.
According to the ruling, Sweidan, also known by the nickname “al-Mulatham” (the masked), held a leadership position in the armed group at the time of the violations.
The court stated that evidence and witness testimonies confirmed his direct participation in serious abuses against civilians inside Yarmouk camp, which had been under prolonged siege during the Syrian conflict.
Based on the findings, the court issued a life sentence in accordance with Swedish laws addressing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
European courts have increasingly pursued cases related to violations committed during the Syrian conflict, relying on universal jurisdiction to prosecute suspects residing in their territories.