Syria: As 16 mn anticipate assist, US begins indicting ex-officials for battle crimes
In the meantime, a US federal indictment has charged two former senior Syrian intelligence officers from the regime of former president Bashar al-Assad with “battle crimes towards Individuals and different civilians”, the division of justice introduced.
The indictment accuses Jamil Hassan, 72, and Abdul Salam Mahmoud, 65, of conspiring to commit battle crimes by subjecting detainees, together with US residents, to merciless and inhuman therapy at detention amenities such because the Mezzeh Army Airport jail close to Damascus, in accordance with the justice division.
Warrants for his or her arrest have been issued, although each stay at giant, the assertion learn on Monday, 10 December. “The perpetrators of the Assad regime’s atrocities towards Americans and different civilians throughout the Syrian civil battle should reply for his or her heinous crimes,” legal professional basic Merrick Garland stated in a press release.
“As alleged, these Assad regime intelligence officers whipped, kicked, electrocuted, and burned their victims; hung them by their wrists for extended durations of time; threatened them with rape and demise; and falsely informed them that their relations had been killed.
“The justice division has a protracted reminiscence, and we’ll by no means cease working to seek out and produce to justice those that tortured Individuals,” he added.
Deputy legal professional basic Lisa Monaco reaffirmed the US’s dedication to accountability, stating, “The Assad regime might have fallen, however our dedication to accountability continues unabated. For the second time in a 12 months, the division of justice has introduced costs towards those that dedicated battle crimes towards US residents, deploying a beforehand unused federal legislation to carry accountable people who engaged in merciless and inhuman atrocities throughout armed battle.”
FBI director Christopher Wray stated the bureau stays devoted to collaborating with worldwide legislation enforcement to make sure justice is served. “Hassan and Mahmoud allegedly oversaw the systematic use of merciless and inhumane therapy on perceived enemies of the Syrian regime, together with Americans,” he stated.
