Salem Michel Al-Salem, a former colonel in Syria's Air Force Intelligence, has been charged in Britain with crimes against humanity for his role in suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in Damascus in 2011. The 58-year-old, now living in the UK, faces seven offences under British law that allows prosecution of serious international crimes committed abroad.
Key Takeaways
A former Syrian Air Force Intelligence colonel has been charged in Britain with crimes against humanity for his role in suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in Damascus in 2011. Salem Michel Al-Salem faces seven offences under British law that allows prosecution of serious international crimes committed abroad.
- Former Syrian colonel Salem Michel Al-Salem charged with three counts of murder, three counts of torture, and one count of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity
- Charges relate to events in Damascus in 2011 during the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations
- First prosecution of its kind under British law allowing prosecution for serious international crimes committed abroad
The charges include three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one offence of conduct ancillary to murder. Al-Salem is accused of leading a group ordered to suppress protests in the Jobar district, east of central Damascus. According to prosecutors, this marks the first time the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has brought charges of murder as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
Al-Salem appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link and was named publicly for the first time after a request from his legal team to prevent this was rejected. The court heard that he has been diagnosed with spinal onset motor neurone disease and was too unwell to confirm his name during the hearing. Chief magistrate Paul Goldspring remanded Al-Salem on bail until his next court appearance at the Old Bailey on Friday.
The investigation, conducted by the Metropolitan Police's complex crime unit in collaboration with international partners, involved interviews with witnesses across several European nations and spanned over five years. Commander Helen Flanagan of London's counter-terrorism police stated that 'The charges are extremely serious and show that we fully support the UK's ''no safe haven'' policy in relation to alleged war criminals.' She emphasized that allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity falling within their jurisdiction will be investigated rigorously.
This case is significant as it represents the first prosecution of its kind in the UK, demonstrating the country's commitment to addressing international crimes. The man was first detained in 2021, highlighting the extensive nature of the investigation leading up to these charges.
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