Landmark Verdict in Paris Court
A Paris court has ordered life prison sentences for three top Syrian security officials for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes. This marks the first trial in France related to abuses committed during Syria’s civil war since 2011.
Accused Officials
- Ali Mamlouk, former head of the National Security Bureau
- Jamil Hassan, former director of the Air Force intelligence service
- Abdel Salam Mahmoud, former head of investigations
The accused officials were absent during the trial, but international warrants have been issued for their arrest. The court’s ruling was met with applause from many in attendance.
Victims’ Lawyer Speaks Out
“It is a verdict that will resonate for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who are still waiting for justice,” said Clemence Bectarte, a lawyer representing some of the victims in the case.
Charges and Impact
The officials were accused of involvement in the deaths of French-Syrian men Mazzen Dabbagh and his son Patrick, who disappeared after their arrest in Damascus in 2013. The court found that the detainees, including the Dabbaghs, suffered torture leading to their deaths.
Experts and witnesses who provided testimony during the trial highlighted the widespread abuses in Syria since 2011. The trial is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims.
Reactions and Implications
Obeida Dabbagh, Mazzen Dabbagh’s brother, emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable: “Impunity is something very difficult to live with. Justice has to be seen. This is a very important first step, it is historic.”
Patrick Baudouin, a lawyer for the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), described the trial as a signal against normalizing relations with Bashar al-Assad. The conflict in Syria has had devastating consequences, with over half a million people killed and millions displaced.
Trials related to Syrian abuses have also taken place in other European countries, such as Germany, targeting individuals of lower ranks who were present at the hearings.