Trial against Syrian "torture general" in Vienna: 21 victims, universal jurisdiction
A historic trial began in Vienna against two senior former representatives of the Assad regime for torture of 21 civilians. The defendants deny the allegations.
Vienna criminal court hears torture allegations against two Syrian ex-intelligence officials
Khaleb H. is approximately 165 centimetres tall, has a slim build and greying hair. As he hurried past the courtroom 103 of Vienna Regional Court on Monday morning with a notepad held in front of his face, he was barely noticeable. Only the handcuffs and four masked court security officers accompanying him at every step indicated why media outlets refer to him as the "torture general".
As falter.at reports, a trial began in Vienna on Monday that is considered historic: two former senior representatives of the overthrown Assad regime must answer to Vienna Regional and Criminal Court – for torture and serious crimes against imprisoned civilians in Syria.
Defendants and their positions in the regime
Khaleb H. was head of department 335 of the Syrian intelligence service. The second defendant, Mussab R., was chief of the criminal police in the desert province of ar-Raqqa. Both came to Austria more than ten years ago and filed asylum applications. Now they sit in the dock.
The charges are serious: torture, grievous bodily harm, coercion and serious sexual coercion. The public prosecutor accuses them of torturing a total of 21 civilians in prisons and torture chambers, or ordering corresponding crimes, between 2011 and 2013 – in order to suppress growing civilian protests against the Syrian regime.
Universal jurisdiction enables trial in Austria
The case is being tried in Vienna although the alleged crimes took place in Syria. This is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction: some crimes are so serious that they can be prosecuted in a third country as well. In Germany and Sweden, earlier allies of Bashar al-Assad have already been convicted on this basis of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Thirteen trial days are scheduled. Over the course of June, victims from Europe and Syria will travel to Vienna to testify against the two defendants.
Courtroom with heavy security presence
Courtroom 103 on the first floor of the Regional Court was completely full on the first day – all 80 seats occupied. Two police officers and six masked court security officers had positioned themselves in the room, with one seated directly opposite Khaleb H.
Khaleb H., in pre-trial custody since 2024, appeared nervous. He fidgeted with his fingers on the notepad on the table in front of him. An interpreter translated his statements from Arabic.
First defendant portrays picture of regime doubter
He is innocent, Khaleb H. declared before the court. He described himself as a man from humble circumstances who had grown up in the countryside, completed his law degree with good marks and wanted to work for 20 years in public service and later as a lawyer. That he had been appointed brigadier general under Assad in 2010 had surprised him.
Over the course of his hours-long questioning, the defendant painted the picture of a man who had maintained an inner distance from the regime. He said he had opposed violence and even attempted to mediate between demonstrators and the regime.
Mussab R. also denied the public prosecutor's allegations on the first day of trial.
Historical dimension of proceedings
The trial is considered exceptional not only because of the severity of the allegations but also because of the rank of the defendants. Senior members of the Assad apparatus have rarely been held accountable before a European court. The proceedings in Vienna add to a series of European prosecutions in connection with the Syrian civil war that rely on the principle of universal jurisdiction.
The next trial dates are scheduled for later in June.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)