The Trial of Alaa M.
In January 2022, the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt a. M. began the trial of a Syrian doctor, Alaa M., for crimes against humanity. This is the first criminal trial worldwide on the role of medical professionals in fostering state torture in Syria. The trial is an important step to hold perpetrators from all sides of the conflict accountable.
Since the beginning of the trial proceedings on January 19, 2022, SJAC has monitored the trial via local, trained court monitors and published regular trial reports, available in both English and Arabic. As with previous domestic trials of Syrian government officials, the lack of official court translations distorts the historical landscape of the conflict, limits the scope of testimony available, and hinders future opportunities for reflection on human rights violations and justice processes. Consequently, SJAC’s comprehensive trial monitoring establishes a historical record of the trial and ensures the availability of documentation for victims and families.
SJAC has compiled the following list of witnesses in the trial and corresponding trial reports to assist in understanding the ongoing legal proceedings and assisting those interested in following the trial.
THE TRIAL OF ALAA M.
Day 1: January 19, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Day 2-3: January 25 & 27, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Day 4: February 3, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Day 5: February 8, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Days 6 - 7: February 22 & 24, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Day 8: March 24, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Day 9: March 29, 2022
Alaa M. - The Accused
Alaa M. was questioned about many topics, including the charges against him.
Days 10 & 11: April 5, 2022
Criminal Inspector - Expert Witness
Criminal Inspector at the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) who has been responsible for conducting structural investigations into crimes arising from the Syrian conflict since 2011. He testified several times on specifics about investigations, arrests, searches, and exhibits in the cases against Alaa M. He also participated in questioning the witnesses who testified in-court.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court.
Day 12: April 5, 2022
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court.
Day 13-14: May 3 & 5, 2022
P1 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Day 15: May 9, 2022
P1 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Day 16-17: May 17 & 19, 2022
P1 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court
Day 18: May 24, 2022
P1 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Day 19-20: May 31 & June 2, 2022
P2 - Witness
Employee at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). He conducted the Asylum interview with P1.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court
Day 21: June 14, 2022
P3 - Witness
An interpreter who worked at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). She was the interpreter during the asylum interview of P1.
Day 22: June 23, 2022
P4 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Days 23-25: July 11, 12 & 14 2022
P4 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Days 26-27: July 18 & 21, 2022
P4 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Day 28: July 26, 2022
P4 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Day 29: August 12, 2022
P4 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at many Intelligence Services Branches. He was transferred to Homs Military Hospital where he was subjected to torture and witnessed an incident in which the Accused Alaa M. allegedly administered substance to a detainee which led to his death.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court
Days 30-32: September 5-7, 2022
P5 - Witness
Criminal Inspector at the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Participated in P4’s questioning by the BKA.
P6 - Witness
The interpreter who was present during the questioning of P4 by the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
Criminal Inspector - Expert Witness
Criminal Inspector at the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) who has been responsible for conducting structural investigations into crimes arising from the Syrian conflict since 2011. He testified several times on specifics about investigations, arrests, searches, and exhibits in the cases against Alaa M. He also participated in questioning the witnesses who testified in-court.
Days 33 & 34: September 27 & 29, 2022
P7 - Witness
Employee at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). She conducted the Asylum interview with P4.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court
Days 35-37: October 10, 11 & 13, 2022
P8 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at the Military Security Branch in Homs. He alleged that the Accused Alaa M. administered a pill to his brother who died as a result.
Linguistic expert / Court Interpreter
The Court interpreter provided his linguistic analysis and translated some of the documents and material that were shown in-court
Days 38-39: October 18 & 20, 2022
P8 - Plaintiff
A former detainee at the Military Security Branch in Homs. He alleged that the Accused Alaa M. administered a pill to his brother who died as a result.