Stockholm: In a landmark trial set to commence on Monday in a Stockholm court, Mohammed Hamo, a 65-year-old Swedish citizen and former Syrian army commander, will become the highest-ranking Syrian military figure to face war crimes charges in Europe. Hamo stands accused of “aiding and abetting” war crimes allegedly committed during the Syrian civil war in 2012.
The Syrian conflict erupted in 2011 following the suppression of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations by Bashar al-Assad’s regime, leading to a devastating armed conflict involving the government and various opposition groups, including the Islamic State. The conflict has resulted in nearly 500,000 fatalities, massive displacement, and widespread destruction of infrastructure and the economy.
According to the prosecution, Hamo is charged with assisting the Syrian army in carrying out indiscriminate attacks on towns and areas in and around Hama and Homs. These attacks, which took place from January 1 to July 20, 2012, allegedly resulted in significant civilian casualties and property damage. The prosecution contends that international law principles regarding the distinction between military and civilian targets were disregarded during these assaults.
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As a brigadier general and head of an armament division, Hamo purportedly played a crucial role in coordinating and supplying arms to military units, facilitating the execution of orders at an operational level.
Hamo’s defense lawyer, Mari Kilman, stated that her client denies the charges but refrained from providing further comments ahead of the trial.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from several plaintiffs, including Syrians from the affected cities and a British photographer injured during one of the attacks.
Aida Samani, senior legal advisor at Civil Rights Defenders, emphasized the significance of the trial in addressing the Syrian army’s indiscriminate attacks. Samani highlighted that this trial presents a unique opportunity for victims to seek justice in an independent court.
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While Hamo is the highest-ranking military official to face trial in Europe, other European countries have pursued legal action against senior Syrian figures. In March, Swiss prosecutors charged Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of President Bashar al-Assad, with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similarly, France issued international arrest warrants for Bashar al-Assad and other high-ranking officials for their alleged roles in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The trial of former Syrian colonel Anwar Raslan in Germany, resulting in a life sentence for crimes against humanity, stands as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of state-sponsored torture in Syria.
