Syria forms committee to coordinate with Interpol over former officials
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s Justice Ministry has formed a committee to coordinate with Interpol on the extradition of former regime figures who fled the country, Deputy Justice Minister Mustafa al-Qassem said on Wednesday.
In remarks to Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya, al-Qassem said international cooperation with Syria could help accelerate the justice process by facilitating the extradition of individuals accused of crimes who fled abroad.
The deputy minister said the ministry had also established offices to receive complaints related to transitional justice crimes, aiming to simplify procedures for Syrians seeking justice.
The ministry is additionally working to recover Syrians’ funds allegedly transferred abroad and pursue those who invested or managed the funds, al-Qassem noted.
He added that the Justice Ministry seeks to align Syria’s judicial system with international trial standards while maintaining what he described as national Syrian sovereignty within the transitional justice process.
The move comes as Syria’s transitional authorities face demands to hold former regime officials accountable for alleged abuses committed during the country’s years-long conflict.
Cooperation with Interpol could provide Syrian authorities with a channel to pursue suspects who left the country following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
However, the extradition of suspects would depend on cooperation from the countries where they are located and their respective legal procedures.
Syria’s transitional justice process is expected to address alleged violations committed during the former government’s rule, while efforts to recover assets abroad could form part of broader measures aimed at addressing the financial legacy of the former regime.