Former Assad officer returns to Syria after Austria sentence
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A former Syrian security officer convicted in Austria of abusing detainees during Bashar al-Assad’s rule has returned to Syria while appealing an eight-year prison sentence, Reuters reported on Friday.
Lieutenant Colonel Musab Abu Rukba arrived in early August in his hometown of Nawa in Daraa Governorate, southern Syria, where his family held a reception to celebrate his return, four sources familiar with the case told Reuters.
A Vienna court sentenced Abu Rukba in July to eight years in prison after finding him guilty of bodily harm, aggravated coercion and sexual assault against detainees and opponents of Assad.
The alleged abuses occurred more than a decade ago when Abu Rukba headed the criminal investigations department of the police in Raqqa.
Abu Rukba, who pleaded not guilty, was not detained during his trial and was allowed to remain free while appealing the verdict. An Austrian court spokesperson said he had not been considered a flight risk because he had lived in Austria since 2014 while seeking asylum with his family.
The Syria Justice and Accountability Centre criticized Austrian authorities for allowing him to remain free, saying his return raised questions about accountability in post-Assad Syria.
Syria’s Interior and Justice ministries did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Syria’s new authorities have pledged to hold former Assad officials accountable for abuses committed during his rule. A Syrian court on Aug. 11 sentenced Assad to death in absentia over killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and crimes against humanity.
Assad fled to Russia in December 2024 after his government was overthrown.