2023-12-14 22:20:13
German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office Arrests Syrian Citizen Accused of War Crimes
Yesterday, Tuesday, the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office arrested a Syrian citizen accused of committing crimes against humanity during his work with the Lebanese Hezbollah in southern Syria, between 2012 and 2013. The accused, identified as “Amr A.,” was arrested based on an arrest warrant issued by the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice on November 27.
According to lawyer Anwar al-Boni, the accused is suspected of having a part in committing crimes against humanity through torture and deprivation of liberty, in addition to war crimes against people. The arrest warrant states that various militias, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, participated in the attack, along with Syrian regime forces in suppressing the demonstrations in early 2012, due to Amar being a member of the local Hezbollah militia in the Syrian town of Busra al-Sham between 2012 and 2013.
The accused has been implicated in incidents where Hezbollah members forcibly entered civilian homes in the town of Busra al-Sham, stole many items, set entire houses on fire, and physically abused residents, resulting in one fatality. In another incident, Amr A. and other Hezbollah members arrested a citizen in Busra al-Sham, beat the victim several times with guns, and handed him over to military intelligence personnel, who then subjected the victims to severe physical abuse and imprisonment in non-conducive prison conditions.
This marks the first time a Hezbollah member is on trial for activities in Syria. The accused appeared before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice today, Wednesday, and a pre-trial arrest warrant was issued against him. Lawyer Anwar al-Boni described the arrest as a victory for the Syrian victims in their pursuit of justice, thanking the Public Prosecution Unit and the German Federal Police for their efforts.
In a related development, a few days ago, the Dutch police arrested a 55-year-old Syrian man living in the Netherlands on charges of torture and sexual violence against Syrian citizens during the war in Syria. The man is suspected of being the head of the investigation department of the national defense forces in Salmiya Hama, in central Syria, during 2013 and 2014.
The arrest of these individuals sends a strong message that perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity will be held accountable for their actions, regardless of their location. The international community continues to work towards justice for the victims of the Syrian conflict.
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