Historical judgment: a Syrian condemned - justice for victims of torture?

Historical judgment: a Syrian condemned - justice for victims of torture?

On March 25, 2025, a podcast of Amnestie Germany deals with the question of justice for the victims of state torture. Moderator Valentin Mayr speaks to Anwar Al Bunni, a refugee Syrian who recognized an assad regime in Berlin, a former high-ranking secret service. The discussion is about the security of Germany for war criminals and the first international process against Syrian state torture, which took place in Koblenz.

This process, which is considered historical, brought Anwar Raslan to a lifelong prison on January 13, 2022. The Koblenz Higher Regional Court held Raslan for his role as head of interrogation in a Syrian secret service prison in Damascus. He was convicted of crimes against humanity, including 27 times murder and severe torture of at least 4,000 people. At least 30 prisoners died as a result of his cruel interrogation.

an important process for human rights

The trial against Raslan started in April 2020 and ended after 108 days of negotiations. During the negotiation, the federal prosecutor requested that the special seriousness of the guilt and demanded lifelong imprisonment requested. Raslan himself described itself as innocent and the defense called for an acquittal. Human rights organizations described the judgment as a milestone in the persecution of torture and crimes against humanity.

As part of the procedure, Eyad A., a co -accused, also received four and a half years in prison for a aid for a crime against humanity. Eyad A. was arrested in Germany in 2019, which underlines the role of the country in the pursuit of war criminals.

The role of Germany in the international legal system

Germany is active in the international judiciary and plays a central role in the area of ​​international criminal law. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which took up its work in 2002, is an essential instrument for persecution of serious crimes. Germany was involved in the elaboration of the Roman statute and ratified it in 2000. The ISTGH complements national criminal jurisdiction, but only takes action if states are unable or not willing to pursue serious crimes.

The jurisdiction of the ICC extends over contracting states of the Roman statute, which also applies to Germany. These legal framework enables the persecution of war crimes, and the ongoing processes in Germany show that the country is willing to ensure justice. The Higher Regional Court of Koblenz Process against Anwar Raslan is only one of many steps that are taken to make sacrifices from state torture and crimes against humanity.

The successful conclusion of the procedure in Koblenz could be seen as a signal to future perpetrators and victims in war zones that justice can also be sought in a rule of law.

For many, the question of justice in the context of the Syrian state torture is of great importance. The stuff: Interior reports that were brought up as part of the Koblenz process show the horrors of torture and the urgent need to fully account for accounting while guaranteeing the victims.