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Koblenz (dpa / lrs) - In what, according to the indictment, is the world's first criminal trial for state torture in Syria, alleged sexual violence is now also being negotiated as a possible crime against humanity.
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) announced that such allegations would also be examined in the proceedings before the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz in accordance with international criminal law and not, as before, only as individual cases under German criminal law.
The OLG Koblenz confirmed on Thursday that the responsible state security senate had given a corresponding legal notice.
According to the accusations of the prosecution, there is no change in the life imprisonment for the only remaining defendant.
ECCHR attorney Joumana Seif explained, referring to the civil war that has been raging in Syria for ten years, not least the Koblenz trial had shown: “The Syrian secret services systematically use sexual violence as a weapon to suppress the civilian population.
For us Syrians, for the many survivors and their relatives, it is an important sign that a German court is now dealing with this in this first trial on the crimes of the Syrian government. "
This step could give those affected the hope of "being recognized and seen".
Survivors of sexual violence in Syria, especially women, are often discriminated against, according to ECCHR, as witnesses in the Koblenz trial reported, and even rejected by their families.
The OLG recently sentenced one of the original two defendants to four and a half years in prison for aiding and abetting a crime against humanity (Az. 1 StE 9/19).
According to the court, the ex-secret agent who fled to Germany and arrested here helped bring 30 Arab Spring demonstrators to a torture prison in Syria.
The Syrian appealed on a point of law.
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The trial continues against the defendant Anwar R.
As the alleged former head of interrogation at a torture prison in Syria, the Federal Prosecutor's Office is responsible for 58 murders, for the torture of at least 4,000 people as well as for serious sexual assault and rape.
At the beginning of the trial, the former Syrian colonel denied these allegations.
He too had fled to Germany and was arrested here.
The Koblenz trial is initially scheduled until October 27th.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210318-99-876866 / 2