Syrian accused of leading pro-Assad militia faces German trial

BERLIN - A Syrian man accused of leading a brutal pro-government militia during the country's civil war went on trial in Berlin Friday, accused of murder and crimes against humanity.

The 41-year-old defendant, partially named as Anwar S., is accused of helping persecute opponents of then-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad following anti-government uprisings in 2011.

Prosecutors allege he led a local pro-Assad militia known in Syria as "Shabiha".

During anti-Assad demonstrations, German prosecutors allege that he and his henchmen targeted demonstrators and brutally assaulted them.

"The detainees were then reportedly handed over to the police and security forces, jailed in various prisons in Syria and subjected to severe torture and inhumane conditions in those prisons," prosecutor Antonia Ernst said outside the courtroom.

The defendant is accused of murdering a demonstrator. According to prosecutors, Anwar. S was among a group of attackers who used stun guns and batons to repeatedly hit a victim, who suffered cardiac arrest and died.

The killing aimed to silence political opponents of the government, prosecutors contend, making it a more serious charge under German law.

In addition to the murder charge, he faces eight counts of crimes against humanity under international law in the Berlin court.

"I am happy that the trial starts now," said Anwar al-Bunni, a Syrian human rights activist who attended the opening of the trial.

After years of investigations, he said "I hope we will reach the verdict soon."

The man had been living in Berlin when he was arrested at the end of September.
The trial is expected to last until mid-July.