Germany starts trial of Syrian doctor for torture, killing

Berlin: A German court initiated the hearing on the case of a Syrian doctor who killed and tortured people in Syria in the past. The doctor, whose trial started on Wednesday, is charged with crimes against humanity during his practice in military hospitals and government prisons, Associated Press reported.

According to the prosecution, the doctor practised at a military prison of Syria's Homs from April 2011 to late 2012. He is accused of killing two people, 18 cases of torture and a case of inflicting physical and mental harm on one. One of the cases states that the accused beat up a demonstrator who protested against the Syrian administration. The protester was brought to the hospital after an epileptic attack post torture by prison officials. In another case he killed a man through injection, an act to exhibit his power and suppress unrest among the Syrian population.

Nevertheless, he has denied all the allegations levelled against him. He came to Germany in 2015, and the authorities allowed him to practice in the country. But later, some Syrians recognized him and reported him to German police. He was arrested in June 2020.

Human Rights Watch requested the court provide an Arabic translation of the trials so that people of the affected communities would understand the court proceedings.

German courts recognize global jurisdiction granting itself the power to prosecute severe crimes without mattering where it happened, home or overseas. Last week a German court had convicted a senior member of the Syrian secret police for crimes against humanity.