Monthly News Updates: Domestic Prosecution of International Crimes - February 2021
By: Alexandrah Bakker, Junior Research Associate, PILPG-NL
The following post highlights developments from around the world in the prosecution of international crimes before domestic jurisdictions. This month, several high-profile trials got underway while others resulted in long-awaited convictions.
EUROPE
Germany | Koblenz court convicts former Syrian intelligence agent of complicity in crimes against humanity
A court in Koblenz, Germany, convicted Eyad Al-Gharib, a former Syrian intelligence service agent, of complicity in crimes against humanity for arresting protesters and transporting them to a detention center in Damascus where they faced torture. The case marks the first conviction of a Syrian state agent for international crimes committed since the 2011 uprising. [February 24, 2021]
Switzerland | Trial of Liberian rebel leader resumes
The second phase of the trial of Alieu Kosiah began on February 15, 2021. In this phase, plaintiffs and witnesses, some of whom traveled from Liberia to Switzerland for the trial, will testify. Kosiah faces 25 war crimes charges for crimes committed in Liberia between 1993 and 1995. [February 15, 2021]
Germany | German prosecutors charge former concentration camp employees as accessories to murder
In separate cases, German prosecutors charged a 95-year-old former secretary and a 100-year-old former SS guard as accessories to the murders of thousands of victims in the concentration camps in which they worked. [February 9, 2021]
Serbia | Belgrade Higher Court convicts former Bosnian Serb policeman of torture
The Belgrade Higher Court convicted Milorad Jovanovic, a former Bosnian Serb policeman, of torturing civilians in 1992. The Court sentenced Jovanovic to nine years’ imprisonment. [February 2, 2021]
Finland | Hearings begin in the trial of Sierra Leonean rebel leader
The trial of Gibril Massaquoi opened in Finland on February 1, 2021. Massaquoi was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Revolutionary United Front and faces charges of murder, aggravated war crimes, and aggravated crimes against humanity committed in Liberia during the civil war between 1999 and 2003. Hearings have begun in Finland as well as on-site in Liberia and Sierra Leone. [February 1, 2021]
THE AMERICAS
Argentina | Buenos Aires court convicts eight individuals of crimes against humanity
A court in Buenos Aires convicted eight individuals of crimes against humanity committed at the Navy Mechanics School (ESMA) during the military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983. The charges related to acts of abduction, murder, torture, and sexual assault at the ESMA which was used as a detention center during the dictatorship. [February 20, 2021]
Colombia | Special Jurisdiction for Peace reveals 6,402 “false positive” cases
Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace revealed that Colombia’s army killed 6,402 civilians and falsely claimed the victims were members of rebel groups, in cases known as “false positives.” [February 19, 2021]
ASIA
Bangladesh | International Crimes Tribunal convicts eight individuals of crimes against humanity
The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh convicted eight individuals of crimes against humanity for murder, abduction, and torture committed during the state’s 1971 Liberation War. The Tribunal sentenced three of the accused to life imprisonment and the other five to 20 years’ imprisonment. [February 11, 2021]