First Dutch trial for Syrian regime crimes involving sexual violence begins next month
A Syrian man faces charges of torture and crimes against humanity in a landmark trial at The Hague. Victims and the public can follow proceedings online, marking a pivotal moment for justice in war crimes cases involving sexual violence.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | 55-year-old Syrian man |
| Arrest Location | Druten, Netherlands (December 8, 2023) |
| Charges | Torture, crimes against humanity (including sexual violence and rape) |
| Role in Syria | Head of interrogation department, National Defence Force (NDF), 2013-14 |
| Victims | 9 victims, 24 criminal offenses |
| Trial Dates | April 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23; May 12, 26, 2026 |
| Verdict Date | June 9, 2026 |
| Access to Trial | Livestream available in Dutch, Arabic, and English |
The District Court of The Hague is responsible for adjudicating serious criminal cases, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. This trial underscores the Netherlands' role in holding individuals accountable for international crimes, even when committed abroad.
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Hearing in Syrian Regime Case at District Court of The Hague
Starting on April 8, 2026, the substantive hearing of the case against a Syrian man accused of extremely serious crimes committed against Syrian civilians will take place at the District Court of The Hague. The charges include torture and crimes against humanity, specifically torture, sexual violence, and rape. This is the first time in the Netherlands that someone is accused of crimes against humanity involving sexual violence.
The then 55-year-old Syrian was arrested in Druten on December 8, 2023. Based on investigations by the International Crimes Team (TIM) of the National Detection and Intervention Service (LO), the man is suspected of having been the head of the interrogation department of the National Defence Force (NDF) in Salamiyah, Syria, in 2013 and 2014. The NDF is a paramilitary group consisting of many local pro-regime militias that fought alongside the Syrian regime. The suspicion is that, in his role, the man was responsible for torture and crimes against humanity, including torture, sexual violence, and rape.
Crimes against humanity are crimes committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population. The suspect arrived in the Netherlands in July 2021 and was granted a temporary asylum permit. In 2022, he settled in Druten with his family. The International Crimes Team identified him shortly after his arrival in the Netherlands following a tip that a person with a similar name had been the chief interrogator at the local NDF branch in Salamiyah and was now residing in the Netherlands.
The indictment lists a total of 24 criminal offenses committed against 9 victims. The hearings will take place on April 8, 9, 13, 14, 21, 22, and 23, as well as May 12 and 26, 2026, at the District Court in The Hague. The sessions begin at 9:00 AM and can also be followed via a video link in Dutch, Arabic, and English. The prosecution’s closing arguments and sentencing demands are expected to be delivered on April 21, and the court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on June 9, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM.
For more information and to register for the video link: