Witness in Vienna torture trial reports years of fear of police
In the trial against two former Syrian secret service officers, an alleged torture victim testified on Tuesday before Vienna's regional criminal court about how deeply his experiences in Assad detention continue to affect him.
Witness in Vienna torture trial reports years of fear of police
A Syrian witness testified on Tuesday in Vienna's regional criminal court that more than ten years after his alleged ordeal under the Assad dictatorship, he remains psychologically severely burdened. The man described how he was unable to sleep alone in a room until 2015. Even the sight of a police officer triggers panic in him to this day.
The testimony was given as part of a major trial against two former representatives of the Syrian secret service. The main defendant is former secret service general Khaled Al Halabi. He is accused of being responsible for serious human rights violations during his service to the Assad regime. Mussab A. is standing trial as the second defendant. Both deny the allegations against them; the presumption of innocence applies.
The witness described in the courtroom the invisible scars left by the alleged torture. The psychological marks remain present even after more than a decade and significantly impair his daily life.
The trial in Vienna is considered one of the most significant proceedings against alleged criminals of the Syrian regime in Europe. International human rights organisations are following the case with great attention.
Source: Der Standard
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)