Austrian judicial authorities begun the trial of two Assad-era intelligence officers believed to be guilty of of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Raqqa during the early years of the Syrian revolution. The proceedings are taking place in Vienna and focus on allegations of torture and other serious abuses against civilians and detainees.
One of the defendants, 63-year-old Brig. Gen. Khalid al-Halabi, has been in pretrial detention since 2024, served as head of the State Security branch in Raqqa between 2009 and 2013. Prosecutors accuse him of overseeing torture and other violations against individuals detained at the facility during that period.
The second defendant, 54-year-old Lt. Col. Musab Abu Rakbah, served as deputy head of the Political Security branch in Raqqa. He faces charges related to alleged crimes and abuses committed against civilians and detainees while serving in that position.
Allegations of Torture and Abuse
Both men sought asylum in Austria in 2015 and have lived there since their arrival. According to Austrian prosecutors, the charges stem from a broader crackdown on anti-government protests during the Syrian revolution. Prosecutors stated that 21 detainees were subjected to torture and mistreatment under orders issued by the Assad regime’s central authorities and security apparatus.
Halabi faces charges including torture, severe coercion, sexual coercion, and causing serious physical harm. If convicted, he could receive a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Abu Rakbah faces similar charges, including severe coercion, sexual coercion, and causing serious physical harm. He also faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Ties to Israeli and Austrian Intelligence
According to France 24, Senior Austrian officials accused of helping shield Halabi were acquitted in 2023. Prosecutors alleged the officials facilitated his protection in Austria under a purported agreement with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency reached in May 2015. According to Austrian media reports, Mossad allegedly transferred Halabi from France to Austria as part of the arrangement.
The allegations resurfaced after the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), which collects evidence against suspected war criminals, notified Austrian authorities in 2016 of claims linking Halabi to serious crimes committed in Syria.
Austrian news agency APA reported the operation, code-named “White Milk,” was overseen by Martin Weiss, then head of Austria’s domestic intelligence agency, the BVT. Weiss is currently living in Dubai and is wanted by Austrian authorities over alleged ties to former intelligence operative Jan Marsalek, an allged Russian spy.
Witnesses Bring New Evidence Forward
The trial has drawn attention from survivors and witnesses who have pursued legal action against former regime members through European courts. Among them is Muhammad Jamal Arapi, an Aleppo native who supported the Syrian revolution beginning in 2011.
Arapi provided medical and logistical assistance through networks coordinated with Austrian Arab medical unions. Assad regime forces arrested him in Aleppo on Dec. 15, 2012, before releasing him on bail from Adra Prison on June 6, 2013. After returning to Austria, Arapi worked with legal and human rights organizations to pursue accountability efforts.
With support from the Austrian Bar Association and organizations including Sheri, he filed a legal case against former regime members. Like many western courts applying universal jurisdiction, Austria continues to hear testimony from Syrian witnesses and are pursuing further legal measures against individuals accused of torture and war crimes.
