The Belgian Public Prosecution has issued an arrest warrant for a Syrian national accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during his military service for the Assad regime. This marks the first time that Belgium has taken such action against an individual involved in the Syrian conflict.
The accused Syrian is believed to have played a leading role within a group operating in the city of Salamiya between 2011 and 2016, working in collaboration with the regime. The Belgian police apprehended the suspect in Brussels and conducted searches at two companies associated with him.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said in a press release, “Among the charges brought against H.A. were that he commanded a local militia between 2011 and 2015 that attacked and assaulted protestors. He is also accused of involvement in carrying out arrests of civilians in al-Salamiya city and the surrounding villages through attacking their houses and torturing them.”
The federal prosecutor’s spokesman, Eric Van Duyse, shed light on the situation, stating, “Raids were conducted at the suspect’s residence in Brussels, as well as at the premises of two companies connected to him.” He went on to explain that the suspect was charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes in Syria between 2011 and 2016, following his appearance before a Brussels examining judge. Subsequently, he was placed under arrest.
According to judicial sources, the accused individual held a leadership position within a militia in Salamiyah and allegedly carried out acts of torture and execution under the command of Bashar al-Assad. The gravity of the allegations underscores the significance of this arrest and the pursuit of justice for the victims.
