Syrians Accused of Torture During Al-Assad Era Go on Trial in Austria
Prosecutors say the pair helped oversee systematic abuse of 21 detainees, and each faces up to 10 years in prison.
- On Monday, a Vienna court began the trial of former Syrian Brigadier General Khaled al-Halabi and Lieutenant Colonel Musab Abu Rukbah, accused of torturing opponents of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Raqqa between 2011 and 2013.
- Prosecutors allege the defendants are guilty "of having, on numerous occasions, ordered or failed to oppose the mistreatment of members of a protest movement," and the court lifted the 10-year statute of limitations to proceed.
- Thirteen hearing days are scheduled through June 30th, with victims expected to testify; Tatiana Urdaneta Wittek of the Centre for the Enforcement of Human Rights International , representing 18 of the 21 alleged victims, warned: "Austria must not become a refuge for war criminals."
- Defense lawyer Timo Gerersdorfer stated Halabi will plead not guilty, while the two Syrians have resided in Austria since 2015 following an alleged agreement with the Israeli Mossad, code-named "White Milk," reportedly overseen by Martin Weiss.
- Similar cases regarding Syrian civil war crimes have occurred in Germany, France, and Sweden; Syrian lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, who spent five years in prison, called the trial "important" but argued the defendants should have faced charges for crimes against humanity.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Two former high-ranking Syrian security officials are on trial in Vienna – they are said to have participated in the mistreatment of opponents of the regime. One of them is also accused of torture.
In Austria, the highest-ranking representative of the overthrown Asad regime is on trial. He is said to have caused systematic torture in a prison in Rakka – but presents himself as an ignorant head of the authorities in his inquest.
Austria Opens Trial of Former Assad-Era Officer Accused of Torture
Austria on Monday opened the trial of a former Syrian officer from the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad, in what is being described as the first case of its kind in the country. Former brigadier general Khaled al-Halabi appeared before a Vienna court on charges related to torture and other suspected crimes allegedly committed during his tenure as head of the State Security branch in Raqqa between 2011 and 2013. According to the Austrian newspape…
In Vienna, a former Syrian general is on trial, who is said to have mistreated prisoners. He came to the country with the help of the Austrian intelligence service.
Austria puts Syrian ex-intelligence chief in Raqqa on trial for torture
VIENNA, June 1 - A former Syrian intelligence chief in the city of Raqqa went on trial in Austria on charges of torture and sexual abuse on Monday over the mistreatment of opponents of then-leader Bashar al-Assad more than a decade ago. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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