A Syrian man has been charged with murder as a crime against humanity in a significant first for the UK. The 58-year-old is accused of three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one charge of conduct ancillary to murder. These alleged offenses occurred in April 2011 while he was reportedly leading a group tasked with quelling demonstrations in Jobar, near Damascus.
This marks the first time charges of murder as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 have been brought in the UK. The investigation was initiated by Counter Terrorism Policing's war crimes unit. Commander Helen Flanagan stated, "This has been an incredibly complex and challenging investigation... The charges are extremely serious and show that we fully support the UK's 'no safe haven' policy."
The man, who now resides in the UK, was arrested in Buckinghamshire in December 2021 and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.