Doctrine of Universal Jurisdiction Becomes Focal Point of Syrian War Crimes Prosecutions

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Thursday, April 8, 2021
Author: 
Teddy David
Volume: 
37
Issue: 
4
Abstract: 

On February 24, 2021, a German court convicted former Syrian secret police officer Eyad al-Gharib of aiding and abetting crimes against humanity during the Syrian Civil War. The landmark decision is the first example of a national court – as opposed to the International Criminal Court – convicting a relatively high-ranking officer for war crimes committed during the now decade-long conflict in Syria.