Overview
- The Koblenz Higher Regional Court began hearing charges against five men, ages 42 to 56, over alleged murder, crimes against humanity, and war crimes tied to events in Damascus from 2012 to 2014.
- Prosecutors say four defendants served in the Free Palestine Movement and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine militias that cooperated with the then-Syrian leadership and controlled a Palestinian-influenced district of the capital.
- One defendant allegedly worked for a Syrian intelligence service, with the group accused of firing on a peaceful protest in July 2012 that left at least six civilians dead, including a 14-year-old.
- The indictment details beatings at checkpoints, unlawful detentions transferred to intelligence custody with deaths in detention, and assaults during aid distribution intended to contribute to civilian starvation.
- All five were arrested in Germany in July 2024 and remain in pretrial detention, with 40 further hearing days scheduled through the end of June.