Netherlands sentences Syrian to 12 years in prison for war crimes
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A Dutch court convicted on Monday a Syrian man of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity while he was a member of an Iranian-backed militia that supported the Syrian government, and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.
The Hague District Court found the man, 35, named Mustafa A. guilty of helping with torture and illegal arrests in Syria.
In May 2022, Mustafa was arrested after judicial authorities were informed that he had been a member of the Iranian-backed Liwa al-Quds militia.
He was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his complicity in torture, inhumane treatment, and illegal arrest. Additionally, he was found guilty of mistreating civilians during the arrests.
The court, after considering the evidence, found the defendant guilty. The evidence showcased his participation in at least two violent arrests of civilians in January 2013, as well as his involvement in mistreating civilians during those arrests.
The trial’s first session took place on November 2023. Mustafa refused to answer any questions from the investigators and the judges regarding the charges against him.
In the past, Dutch authorities have convicted several Syrian nationals for committing war crimes in Syria.
On Dec. 8, 2023, authorities in the Netherlands arrested a Syrian suspected of committing acts of torture and sexual violence against civilians in Syria.
By Ahmad Othman