France Seeks Arrest of Syrian President Assad through International Warrant
France issues arrest warrant for Syrian President Assad over alleged use of banned chemical weapons against civilians
A judicial source informed CNN on Wednesday that France has issued an arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad due to the alleged utilization of prohibited chemical weapons against Syrian civilians. On Tuesday, two investigative judges issued warrants against Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other high-ranking officials for their involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
According to Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, who is also a founder of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research, the decision is considered "unprecedented". This is believed to be the first instance where a nation has issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity against a sitting head of state in a foreign country. Michael Chammas, one of the plaintiffs' lawyers, mentioned that an Interpol Red Notice is anticipated to be issued.
Interpol states that a Red Notice serves as a global request to law enforcement for the provisional arrest and location of an individual, in relation to extradition, surrender, or other lawful measures. CNN was informed by Chammas that all member states of Interpol are expected to adhere to the arrest warrant.
The Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), and the Syrian Archive filed a legal case in March 2021, alleging the use of prohibited chemical weapons against civilians in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013. These attacks resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 individuals, according to the statement released by the plaintiffs on Wednesday. The Syrian government was accused of utilizing toxic gas in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus that was previously under rebel control. The regime had been making concerted efforts to regain control of this area for over a year. Conversely, the regime accused opposition forces of perpetrating the attacks themselves.
The plaintiffs' statement stated that an investigation had been initiated due to a criminal complaint made by survivors of the attacks that occurred in August 2013. Lawyer Mazen Darwish, founder and director-general of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), claimed that the decision made on Wednesday was a significant and unprecedented judicial precedent.
In this captured moment, smoke billows from structures after an alleged aerial attack in a region controlled by rebels in the southern city of Daraa, Syria, on June 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Mohamad ABAZEED (Photo credit should read MOHAMAD ABAZEED/AFP via Getty Images)
Mohamad Abazeed/AFP via Getty Images
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Darwish described it as a significant triumph for the victims, their families, and the survivors, marking a notable stride towards achieving justice and lasting peace in Syria. Hadi al Khatib, the founder of the Syrian Archive, applauded France for issuing these arrest warrants, asserting that it sends a resolute message that the heinous crimes committed a decade ago will not go unpunished. He expressed hope that other nations will follow suit, leveraging the compelling evidence gathered over the years to hold high-ranking officials accountable for their actions.
CNN is attempting to contact the Syrian government regarding a comment. The Syrian government has faced ongoing allegations of committing war crimes; however, it has consistently maintained that its attacks are aimed at "terrorist" groups. Additionally, it has refuted any claims of utilizing chemical weapons.
"We have never used our chemical arsenal in our history," Assad said in 2017. He added that "morally" the Syrian government would never do this "because its not acceptable."
