Syria trial: witness describes violence after protest against regime
A witness in Vienna proceedings against alleged Syrian secret service members reported abuse following a peaceful demonstration.
Syria trial: witness describes violence after protest against regime
A trial is underway in an Austrian court against two men alleged to be members of the Syrian secret service. Khaled Al H. is said to have headed branch 335, while Moussab Abou R. was considered the head of criminal police in Raqqa. They are accused of being responsible for the abuse of at least 21 people. Additionally, they are alleged to have committed serious offences against some of those affected themselves.
A witness who testified on Tuesday reported two periods of detention. One of these concerned a gathering in August 2011. The man, who worked as a lawyer, had assembled with colleagues for a silent demonstration. They were protesting against attacks by Syrian armed forces on their own cities. After approximately 30 minutes, the participants dispersed the gathering independently.
Shortly afterwards, the witness was forcibly removed from the courthouse and dragged into a car. There, he was insulted and struck on the head, he reported according to NÖN.at. The accounts support the prosecution's assertion that the defendants systematically took action against opponents of the regime.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)