"The charges are extremely serious and show that we fully support the UK's 'no safe haven' policy in relation alleged war criminals. Where we are presented with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity that fall within our jurisdiction, then, as we have shown here, we will not hesitate to investigate those rigorously and robustly."
A 58-year-old Syrian national residing in the UK has been charged with three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one count of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity. The charges relate to his work with Syrian Air Force Intelligence in Damascus during 2011, where he allegedly led a group tasked with suppressing demonstrations in Damascus suburbs. This represents the first prosecution of its kind in the UK, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing's War Crimes Unit. The charges also mark the first time the Crown Prosecution Service has brought murder charges as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001. The defendant is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court, and the case reflects the UK's commitment to its 'no safe haven' policy regarding alleged war criminals.
#war-crimes-prosecution #crimes-against-humanity #syrian-conflict #uk-jurisdiction #international-criminal-law
Read at www.bbc.com
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