Overview
- Syrian transitional president Ahmed al‑Scharaa arrives in Berlin on Monday for meetings with President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday.
- Nearly 30 rights and minority organizations plan demonstrations, including a central rally at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate at 16:00 on Monday, urging indictment rather than a state reception.
- In a January 5 letter disclosed this weekend, the Federal Prosecutor General declined to open a case, stating al‑Scharaa enjoys absolute personal immunity as a sitting head of state and is beyond German jurisdiction.
- The Kurdische Gemeinde filed a criminal complaint alleging genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and leadership or support of a terrorist organization, which remains inactive due to the immunity ruling.
- Berlin’s engagement is tied to stabilization and potential returns of Syrians, while Pro Asyl warns large‑scale returns would be dangerous given recent reported attacks on Kurds, Alawites, and Druze cited by critics.