German federal prosecutors have filed charges against a former Syrian intelligence officer suspected of committing crimes against humanity, torture, and murder of dozens of detainees in a Damascus prison between April 2011 and April 2012.
The suspect, identified only as “Fahd A.” under German privacy laws, was arrested in May 2025 and has been held in pre-trial detention since.
According to prosecutors, he abused prisoners on orders from his superiors, including hanging them from ceilings, dousing them with cold water, or forcing them into painful positions.
At least 70 detainees died as a result of mistreatment and catastrophic prison conditions.
The case is based on Germany’s universal jurisdiction laws, which allow prosecution of crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.
Sources - Agencies
