A Syrian national, identified as Anwar S., was arrested in Berlin on Tuesday by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. The arrest, carried out by the Federal Criminal Police Office with the assistance of the Berlin Police, marks the beginning of legal proceedings concerning allegations of crimes against humanity.
According to the Federal Court of Justice, Anwar S. is suspected of involvement in the violent suppression of protestors in Aleppo between the end of April and November 2011. He is accused of leading a Shabiha militia and participating in at least eight incidents where demonstrators were subjected to abuse involving batons, metal pipes and electric shock devices. The events allegedly include an incident near a mosque in the Saif Al Dawla district, during which one demonstrator sustained severe injuries leading to their death.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Anwar S. is scheduled to appear before the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice on Wednesday. He will be formally presented with the arrest warrant, which was initially issued on September 15th. The charges against him include participation in acts of murder, torture and unlawful detention, all classified as crimes against humanity. The legal process is now entering a formal phase with the presentation of the warrant and subsequent judicial review.
