Germany begins trial of Assad regime crimes against humanity

The trial of the Assad regime crimes against humanity in Koblenz, Germany has begun.

While disclosing this on Thursday April 23, 2020, Secretary General of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, Wolfgang Kaleck, said, “Two former intelligence officers of the Syrian regime were arrested in Germany last year and accused by the Federal Public Prosecutor of their participation and responsibility in the torture of hundreds of people in the Al-Khatib detention facility in Damascus.”

“The Al-Khatib trial starting today in Germany is of considerable importance worldwide.

“The systematic investigation of the Assad government’s crimes is a start. It is a beginning,” he stressed.

A lawyer representing survivors of torture said the court began hearing evidence, listening to the testimonies of nearly 20 Syrians who were detained in regime prisons.

“It’s a small step, and only a first step. But it is a historic step for justice for Syria,” Patrick Kroke stated.

Wassim Mukdad, one of the survivors testifying before the court, also told reporters that the trial was being closely followed by millions of Syrians.

“This trial is not only important for myself. It’s important for thousands of victims – those who are still in detention and those who didn’t survive. We want justice for all. It’s justice for humanity,” he said.

Following the first court hearing on Thursday, the trial will continue in the coming days with the written submissions of the two defendants.

Anwar R., 57, was a senior official of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate until September 2012, and he was accused of murder in 58 cases, and torturing at least 4,000 people at the Al-Khatib detention facility.

His colleague, Eyad A., 43, who worked in a subdivision of Syrian intelligence between July 2011 and January 2012, was accused of complicity in crimes against humanity.