A Dutch court sentenced a former pro-Assad militia member to 26 years in prison for crimes against humanity, including torture and rape of prisoners more than a decade ago. This marks the first Dutch conviction for atrocities by pro-government forces in Syria and the first conviction for sexual violence as a crime against humanity.
This conviction establishes a precedent for prosecuting crimes against humanity, including sexual violence, committed by pro-government forces in Syria, and highlights the application of universal jurisdiction in holding perpetrators accountable.
A Syrian national, identified as Rafik A., has been sentenced to 26 years in prison by a Dutch court for crimes against humanity, including the torture and rape of prisoners more than a decade ago. The District Court of The Hague found that the 58-year-old, who had lived in the Netherlands as an asylum seeker since 2021 and was arrested in 2023, was an interrogator for the pro-Assad National Defense Forces in Salamiyah, Syria, in 2013 and 2014.
The judges stated it was established that Rafik A. was engaged in torture, rape, or other sexual abuse of eight victims, either by committing the acts himself or by ordering others to do so. During his trial, Rafik A. denied involvement and accused witnesses of lying.
This verdict marks the first Dutch conviction for atrocities in Syria committed by pro-government forces and the first time a Dutch court has convicted someone of sexual violence as a crime against humanity. Cases against Assad-era security officials have also been brought in other European countries, including Germany.