A former Syrian military officer accused of murdering and torturing protesters during the 2011 Syrian uprising will stand trial in the United Kingdom in October 2027, in what marks a historic case for British justice.
Salem Al-Salem, 58, a former colonel in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence (SAFI), faces seven serious charges including three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one charge of conduct ancillary to murder. The case represents the first time the Crown Prosecution Service has charged anyone with murder as a crime against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
The Charges
According to prosecutors, Al-Salem was stationed in Jobar, a suburb of Damascus, during the height of anti-government protests in 2011. He is accused of ordering officers under his command to shoot protesters and personally shooting demonstrators himself.
The former colonel is specifically accused of involvement in the deaths of four named individuals – Omar Al-Homsi, Nizar Fayoumi-AlKhatib, Mohammed Salim Zahrak Balik, and Talhat Dalal – between April and July 2011.
Beyond the killings, Al-Salem also faces torture charges related to his treatment of three civilians held at an intelligence facility in Damascus between August 2011 and March 2012. Prosecutor Emilie Pottle told the Old Bailey that detainees “were beaten, with those subject to electrocution and hanged by handcuffs to hooks on the ceiling.”
A Landmark Prosecution
The case is only the second prosecution by Scotland Yard’s war crimes team in the past 20 years, highlighting the rarity and significance of such proceedings. It demonstrates the UK’s commitment to its “no safe haven” policy for alleged war criminals.
At a preliminary hearing held via video link at the Old Bailey on Friday, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set the trial date for October 2027, with proceedings expected to last approximately three months. Patrick Gibbs KC, representing Al-Salem, indicated that his client is “likely to contest” the allegations.
The Syrian Air Force Intelligence
At the time of the alleged offences, Al-Salem served as a colonel in SAFI, leading a group tasked with suppressing demonstrations in Jobar village near Damascus. The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights has previously described SAFI as the “most powerful and most brutal” of Syria’s state security agencies.
The organization was notorious for its role in crushing dissent during the early stages of the Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests but eventually spiraled into a devastating civil war that has displaced millions and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
Current Status
Al-Salem, who now suffers from motor neurone disease and is essentially housebound, was first arrested on December 1, 2021. He has been on conditional bail since then and was formally charged on Monday following a four-year investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing’s war crimes unit.
Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads the unit, emphasized the complexity of the investigation: “This has been an incredibly complex and challenging investigation, involving enquiries across many countries. This has required close cooperation with a number of international partners, as well as our colleagues in the CPS.”
She added: “The charges are extremely serious and show that we fully support the UK’s ‘no safe haven’ policy in relation to alleged war criminals. Where we are presented with allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity that fall within our jurisdiction, then, as we have shown here, we will not hesitate to investigate those rigorously and robustly.”
Justice Delayed but Not Denied
The case serves as a reminder that even years after alleged atrocities, justice can still be pursued. For victims of the Syrian conflict and their families, many of whom have sought refuge in countries around the world including the UK, this trial represents a rare opportunity for accountability.
As the trial date approaches in 2027, it will be closely watched by human rights organizations, Syrian diaspora communities, and those advocating for international justice. The proceedings will test the UK’s ability to prosecute complex international crimes and could set important precedents for future cases.
The three-month trial is expected to feature testimony from witnesses across multiple countries, requiring extensive international cooperation and presenting significant logistical challenges for prosecutors and the court system alike.
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