Former Syrian Officer Faces Trial in Swedish Court on War Crimes Charges

ARK News… Former officer Mohammed Hamu appeared before the Swedish judiciary, on Monday, to stand trial on charges of participating in war crimes in 2012, becoming the highest-ranking Syrian military officer to be tried in Europe in connection with the conflict in his country, according to France Presse Agency.

Hamu, 65, who resides in Sweden and was a brigadier general in the army, is accused of aiding and abetting the commission of war crimes during the conflict, charges that carry a potential life sentence.

According to the indictment, Hamou allegedly contributed through "advice and action" to battles fought by the Syrian regime that systematically included indiscriminate attacks on several towns or locations on the outskirts and inside the cities of Hama and Homs.

The charges relate to the period between January 1 and July 20, 2012, and the trial is expected to continue until late May.

Seven civilian parties, including Syrians from Hama and Homs, are scheduled to testify during the trial, along with a British photographer who was injured during one of the attacks mentioned in the indictment.

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