By: Nanthana Sureshkumar
Recently, Sweden has launched an investigation into a former Syrian officer over the war crimes committed during the 2012 Syrian civil war. This investigation began on Monday and is expected to last until May 2024. The trial against Brigadier General Mohammed Hamo is one of few, despite the efforts of European governments to convict officials involved in the 13-year-long Syrian civil war. The charges levied against Brigadier General Hamo are aiding and abetting in the abuse of international law. According to the prosecutor, Karolina Wieslander, Hamo has contributed through advice and action to the indiscriminate violence of the Syrian army operations. He has been accused of participating in operations that exceeded the limits outlined by international law during his tenure as Brigadier General from January 2012 until July 2012.
The Syrian Civil War started in 2011 and has led to the deaths of over half a million people. The war began due to a crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which spurred unrest between Bashar Al Assad and the opposition. Half of the pre-war population of Syria has fled the country, sparking a wave of migration to Europe and the Middle East. But unfortunately, not many officials are brought to trial. Through various warrants and calls for trial, many European nations have taken active initiative in bringing Syrian officials to justice. For example, France had issued an international arrest warrant for Assad, accusing him of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. There were other warrants issued as well for Assad’s brother and other relatives by many European countries for their complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The case against Hamo is essential because Hamo is the first military official to be brought to trial over army operations. The attacks carried out in Homs and Hama in 2012 resulted in widespread civilian harm and immense destruction, according to human rights groups. Not much information is available on Hamo, but it is known that after July 2012, he defected from the army and began to fight to remove Al Assad from power. Hamo was involved in the fighting in the once rebel-held neighborhood of Baba Amr in Homs, according to Syrian opposition activists. He lived in central Sweden until his 2021 arrest for his supposed participation in war crimes but was released due to a lack of evidence.
If Hamo is convicted in this trial, it can be said that he will face 18 years of jail and even life imprisonment. There are various plaintiffs set to testify at the trial, including Syrians that are from the cities attacked and a British photographer injured during a strike. Held at the Stockholm District Court, the trial will run for 18 days, with the last court session on May 21.
Sources:
World Affairs Council of Charlotte 