PARIS (AP) — The landmark trial of three former Syrian intelligence officials began Tuesday at a Paris court for the alleged torture and killing of a French-Syrian father and son who were arrested over a decade ago, during the height of Arab Spring-inspired anti-government protests.
International warrants have been issued for the defendants, being tried in absentia.
The father Mazen Dabbagh and his son, Patrick, were arrested in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in 2013, following a crackdown on demonstrations that later turned into a brutal civil war, now in its 14th year. The probe into their disappearance started in 2015 when Obeida Dabbagh, Mazen’s brother, testified to investigators already examining war crimes in Syria.
The four-day hearings come as Syria’s President Bashar Assad has started to shed his longtime status as a pariah that stemmed from the violence unleashed on his opponents. Human rights groups involved in the case hope it will refocus attention on alleged atrocities.
Thousands protest in Niger demanding withdrawal of U.S. troops
Chad kicks off presidential campaign
Global South urged to make voices heard
Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul
Xi chairs CPC leadership meeting to review reports, guideline and regulations
Zhongguancun Forum builds platform for global sci
Xinhua Special: Warm Moments of Xi's Visits Ahead of Spring Festival
Georgia QB Jaden Rashada sues Florida coach, others over failed $14M NIL deal
Plan to tap Russian assets for Ukraine slammed
Austrian leader lauds UK's efforts on migration and cites its plan for deportations to Rwanda
Hungary ends row with EU over aid