Germany Nabs Syrian Militia Leader Over Crimes Against Humanity
(MENAFN) German authorities confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of a Syrian national accused of orchestrating atrocities during the early months of Syria's civil war. Anwar S., a key figure in a pro-regime militia, stands accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and unlawful imprisonment.
Following an extensive investigation, police detained the suspect in Berlin after gathering strong evidence linking him to a series of violent actions against civilians. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the arrest stemmed from suspicions of his direct involvement in severe human rights violations between 2011 and 2012.
The arrest warrant reveals that Anwar S. was the leader of a "Shabiha militia" in Aleppo, a notorious group that aligned with the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The militia, known for its brutality, played a pivotal role in suppressing protests during the early stages of the Syrian uprising.
"On eight separate occasions after Friday prayers between late April 2011 and November 2011, the suspect and his militiamen beat up civilians with batons, metal pipes and similar tools to disperse or suppress protests," prosecutors detailed. "Electric shocks were used as well."
The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office added that the militia would hand over injured protesters to local police and intelligence agencies, where they faced additional torture and mistreatment. One particularly tragic incident occurred outside a mosque in Aleppo’s Said Al Dawla district, where Anwar S.'s militia is accused of fatally injuring a protester.
This arrest is the latest in a series of legal actions pursued by German authorities under the country’s “Code of Crimes against International Law,” which grants universal jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity. This legislation enables German courts to investigate atrocities even when they occur outside of the country’s borders.
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