© 2025 ICCT
Last update: 2 May 2025Case No:5 - 3 StE 6/19/3 StR 212/21 - 2nd Inst. Verdict – Final
In December 2012, Fares A.B., a Syrian national, joined a subgroup of the Free Syrian Army (FSA). In this capacity, he shot at a prisoner under the control of the group, killing the victim. In June 2014, the defendant joined ISIS and participated in the mistreatment of three individuals who were no longer taking part in the hostilities. Fares A.B. left Syria in around October 2014, travelling to Germany where he was arrested on 8 August 2017. On 19 November 2020, he was convicted, among others of membership in a foreign terrorist organisation, namely ISIS, as well as several war crimes that he committed while being part of the FSA subgroup as well as ISIS. Fares A.B. was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. His appeal was dismissed in August 2021.
2 counts of war crime of murder; 2 counts of war crime of torture
5 counts of membership in a terrorist organisation
3 counts of violation of weapons of war control laws; 1 count of serious bodily harm
2nd Instance:
1 count of attempted war crime of murder; 2 counts of war crime of torture
4 counts of membership in a terrorist organisation
1 count of serious bodily harm
1st Instance:
1 count of attempted war crime of murder; 2 counts of war crime of torture
4 counts of membership in a terrorist organisation
1 count of serious bodily harm
Nationality:
Gender:
Case status: 2nd Inst. Verdict – Final
Verdict status: Partial Acquittal
Affiliated group: ISIS; Free Syrian Army (FSA)
Travelled to conflict zone: Resident in conflict zone
Special procedure: N/A
Ground of jurisdiction: Universal Jurisdiction
None
© 2025 ICCT
Last update: 2 May 2025