Arrest Warrants Issued for Syrian Officials Linked to Chemical Attacks in Landmark Case
In a groundbreaking development, arrest warrants have been issued for Syrian officials linked to chemical attacks. President Assad’s brother, Maher Assad, who commands the fourth armoured division, as well as Syrian army generals Ghassan Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan, are among those targeted by the warrants. This move has been welcomed by lawyers representing the plaintiffs and the NGOs behind the complaint.
This decision is seen as a significant step forward in the fight against impunity. Jeanne Sulzer, a lawyer at the Paris Bar, described it as a crucial milestone, recognizing the grave nature of the crimes committed. The Paris prosecutor’s office has not yet commented on the arrest warrants due to ongoing investigations, and under French law, the warrants remain confidential.
The investigation focuses on chemical weapons attacks that took place in August 2013 in Douma and Eastern Ghouta, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 people and injuring thousands. The investigation has been carried out in France under universal jurisdiction by investigative judges of the Specialised Unit for Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes of the Paris Judicial Court.
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) filed a criminal complaint in March 2021 on behalf of the survivors, which led to the opening of the investigation. Mazen Darwish, the director of SCM, hailed the arrest warrants as a victory for the victims, their families, and survivors of the attacks.
The international community widely held President Assad’s government responsible for the sarin gas attack on eastern Ghouta on August 21, 2013. However, the Syrian government and its allies denied their involvement and instead claimed that opposition forces were responsible, aiming to provoke foreign military intervention.
Following the 2013 attack, the United States threatened military retaliation, with then-President Barack Obama stating that the use of chemical weapons by Mr. Assad would cross a red line. However, due to public and congressional concerns about getting involved in another war, the US opted for a diplomatic solution. A deal was struck with Russia, whereby Syria agreed to eliminate its chemical weapons stockpile.
Syria maintains that it has fulfilled its obligations under the 2013 agreement. Nevertheless, watchdog groups have since reported alleged chemical attacks by Syrian government forces.
The issuance of these arrest warrants represents a significant development in holding accountable those responsible for chemical attacks. As the investigation continues, the possibility of these individuals being arrested and questioned in France remains. This ongoing pursuit of justice for the victims and survivors of these heinous crimes serves as a reminder that impunity will not go unchallenged.
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