Ex-member of Syrian military intelligence charged in Britain over 2011 protests

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - A former member of Syria’s Air Force Intelligence has been charged in Britain with crimes against ​humanity in suppressing pro-democracy demonstrations in Damascus in ‌2011 at the start of what became the Syrian civil war.

The 58-year-old man, who now lives in Britain, has been charged with ​seven offences under a British law that allows ​the prosecution of serious international crimes committed abroad, ⁠the Crown Prosecution Service said on Monday.

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The charges include ​three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three ​counts of torture and one offence of conduct ancillary to murder.

The suspect, who was first detained in 2021, is accused of leading ​a group ordered to suppress protests in the Jobar ​district, east of central Damascus.

The CPS said it was the first ‌time ⁠it had brought charges of murder as crimes against humanity. In 2005, Afghan warlord Faryadi Zardad was convicted by a British court of torture that had taken place in Afghanistan.

“The charges ​are extremely ​serious and ⁠show that we fully support the UK’s ‘no safe haven’ policy in relation to alleged war ​criminals,” said Helen Flanagan, a commander who ​leads ⁠London’s counter-terrorism police.

The Metropolitan Police said its complex investigation had been carried out together with international partners.

The man is due ⁠to ​appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on ​Tuesday. His name was not disclosed as his lawyers intended to seek ​a reporting restriction.

Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kevin Liffey

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