Netherlands Begins Trial of Security Leader from Assad Regime

SadaNews - A Syrian man appeared before a court in the Netherlands yesterday, Wednesday, accused of crimes against humanity including torture and rape of prisoners when he was a member of an armed faction supporting the ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

The 57-year-old Syrian, identified only as "Rafiq A", faces 25 charges of committing crimes against humanity including torture, sexual violence, and rape against 9 individuals more than 10 years ago.

In court, Rafiq spoke through a translator and denied the charges against him, stating that those claiming to be his victims and representatives of the prosecution conspired against him.

Rafiq added before the panel of three judges on the first day of the trial that what was said by those who accused him of assault was untrue.

This case marks the first time a court in the Netherlands has considered charges related to atrocities in Syria committed by regime-affiliated forces. It also represents the first time the Dutch prosecution has classified sexual violence as a crime against humanity.

The trial sessions are expected to continue until the end of May, with a verdict to be issued on June 9. If Rafiq is convicted of crimes against humanity, he could face a life sentence.

According to Dutch prosecutors, Rafiq headed the interrogation unit of the "National Defense Force" in the city of Salamia, Syria, in 2013 and 2014. The National Defense Force was an armed group fighting alongside Assad's forces, which were ousted in December 2024.

In December 2023, Dutch police arrested Rafiq, who arrived in the Netherlands in 2021 as an asylum seeker.

Under the principle of universal jurisdiction, Dutch law broadly allows for the prosecution of foreigners for crimes committed in other countries if the perpetrators or some victims are present within Dutch territory.

 

Source: Reuters