PARIS (AP) — The landmark trial of three former Syrian intelligence officials began Tuesday at a Paris court for the alleged torture and killing of a French-Syrian father and son who were arrested over a decade ago, during the height of Arab Spring-inspired anti-government protests.
International warrants have been issued for the defendants, being tried in absentia.
The father Mazen Dabbagh and his son, Patrick, were arrested in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in 2013, following a crackdown on demonstrations that later turned into a brutal civil war, now in its 14th year. The probe into their disappearance started in 2015 when Obeida Dabbagh, Mazen’s brother, testified to investigators already examining war crimes in Syria.
The four-day hearings come as Syria’s President Bashar Assad has started to shed his longtime status as a pariah that stemmed from the violence unleashed on his opponents. Human rights groups involved in the case hope it will refocus attention on alleged atrocities.
South Korea considers joining alliance for sharing military technology with Australia, US and UK
Roman Josi and Alexandre Carrier score goals and Predators stay alive with 2
Castillo throws 7 shutout innings and then Mariners bullpen hangs on for 3
Midwest storms: Large hail, torrential rain and tornadoes and more is coming
China highway collapse kills 19 in Guangdong
May Day 2024: Workers, activists across Asia call for greater labor rights
How major US stock indexes fared Tuesday, 4/30/2024
It's so hot in Mexico that howler monkeys are falling dead from the trees
Hometown of Laura Ingalls Wilder set for a growth spurt
Ukraine's army chief reports tactical retreat in the east, and warns of front