On Monday, the Hague District Court in the Netherlands sentenced Mustafa A., a former Syrian militia member, to 12 years in prison. The charges were for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during his tenure as leader of the group Liwa al-Quds between 2011 and 2017, as originally reported on JURIST.
Recognizing Liwa al-Quds as a “criminal organization,” the court explained that the group’s acts of violence were so systematic and widespread that they comprised crimes against humanity. Specific crimes included looting, violence against civilians, and unlawful detainment of civilians, such as suppressing demonstrators and government opposition members amidst the Syrian civil war.
The court found that Mustafa A., as a high-ranking member of Liwa al-Quds, was instrumental in these crimes. The court further noted that he was among the top five leaders of Liwa al-Quds who received a high Russian military decoration in 2015. In addition to his involvement with the group, Mustafa A. was implicated in the unlawful arrest, deportation, and torture of a Palestinian refugee opposing his views in 2013.
Notably, the Hague District Court has jurisdiction over this case as the crimes committed in Syria are deemed international crimes. The sentencing aligns with similar rulings against foreign war crimes throughout Europe, including recent cases in Sweden and Germany.