Man Charged with Crimes Against Humanity Linked to Syria
A 58-year-old man residing in the UK has been charged with murder as a crime against humanity and torture, connected to attacks on civilians in Syria during 2011.
The individual, whose name has not been disclosed, is accused in relation to his employment with the Syrian Air Force Intelligence in Damascus.
This case represents the first prosecution of its kind in the UK, following an investigation conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing's War Crimes Unit.
The accused is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
He faces charges including three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one offence of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.
It is alleged that, in his capacity, the man led a unit responsible for suppressing demonstrations in the suburbs of Damascus.
This prosecution marks the first occasion the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has brought charges of murder as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
Official Statements on the Charges
Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, commented on the significance of the charges:
"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."
