Inside the Alaa M. Trial #99: Writings On The Wall
TRIAL OF ALAA M.
Higher Regional Court – Frankfurt, Germany
Trial Monitoring Summary #99
Hearing Date: February 27, 2025
CAUTION: Some testimony includes descriptions of torture.
Note that this summary is not a verbatim transcript of the trial; it is merely an unofficial summary of the proceedings.
Throughout this summary, [information located in brackets are notes from our trial monitor] and “information placed in quotes are statements made by the witness, Judges or counsel.” The names and identifying information of witnesses have been redacted.
[Note: SJAC continues to provide a summary of the proceedings while redacting certain details to protect witness privacy and to preserve the integrity of the trial.]
SJAC’s 99th trial monitoring report details day 178 of the trial of Alaa M. in Frankfurt, Germany. The session, dominated by the public reading of the Accused’s private Facebook messages, laid bare a strong contrast between his professional identity as a surgeon and the crude, often aggressive tone of his personal communications.
The Court focused on the public presentation of chat transcripts that exposed a pattern of vulgarity in the Accused’s interactions with friends and women alike. These included sexualized insults, expressions of frustration, and emotionally manipulative language. Particularly notable were Alaa M’s outbursts toward a driving instructor and the demeaning tone used with male friends — a behavior that Defense Counsel Endres attempted to contextualize in the previous session, citing regional cultural norms [for the details of Trial Day 177, see Trial Report #98]. The Accused’s messaging style also revealed a disturbing dynamic in his interactions with women, alternating between flirtation, control, and emotional pressure, which further undermined the image of the composed and respected medical professional he projected publicly. The session additionally offered a glimpse into his attempts to secure professional opportunities abroad, including a message to a clinic in Houston, United States, seeking a position as a resident or researcher. The overall impact of the public reading appeared to weigh heavily on the Accused, who displayed increasing signs of tension and withdrawal throughout.
Day 178 – February 27, 2025
The session began with the Presiding Judge reading out chat logs dated between December 2012 and January 2017. As the contents were projected onto a courtroom screen, the Accused appeared visibly unsettled – rubbing his eyes, lowering his gaze, and withdrawing as his private thoughts were broadcast publicly.
The first chat, labeled “39 - [redacted name],” began with trivial exchanges that escalated into vulgarity. On January 16, 2016, the Accused wrote: “Damn that instructor. He deserves to be fucked for his driving lessons.” Alaa M. stared at the screen while the messages were read, but seemed disengaged, as if he was hoping the embarrassment would pass quickly.
Chat 80, with [redacted name], followed a similar trajectory: a banal conversation that soon devolved into coarse remarks. On December 30, 2017, the Accused wrote: “But I forgot to tell you to get off my ass, you tight-assed one.” During this reading, Alaa M. rested his forehead in his hand, eyes downcast, visibly distressed.
A series of messages exchanged with [redacted name] between April 22 and 25, 2012, revealed a pattern of romantic manipulation marked by passive-aggressive and self-pitying tones. The Accused declared: “My life, my whole love… Damn this temper of mine.” [redacted name]’s response, “You shat on me. How can I believe you now?” marked a turning point in the conversation. After Alaa M. lamented, he was not worthy of [redacted name]’s attention, she ended the message exchange explicitly.
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[5-minute break]
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The session then moved to a chat labeled “199 - [redacted name]” (December 2011 to January 2012), in which the Accused provided updates on his whereabouts during the Syrian conflict, noting his transfer to al-Mazzeh Hospital and his family’s relocation to [redacted location]. This exchange added context to his movements during a critical period of the indictment.
Another significant entry, “202 - Sanders Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine” (December 11, 2013), documented the Accused’s attempt to leave Syria. In it, he wrote: “My name is Alaa M., orthopedic surgeon, 5th year. Can you help me, please? I want to be a resident or researcher.” This short message indicated a strong will to establish a medical career abroad.
The final chat of the session, “111: [redacted name],” spanned from January 5 to 9, 2012. The Accused’s messages shifted between affectionate nicknames and anger. He repeatedly wrote: “Loulou? Loulou? What happened to you?” before concluding with “Damn it, what happened to you?” Although the Court did not comment on the content, the chat messages carried a sense of Alaa M.’s need for attention and emotional validation.
Throughout the session, the Accused’s demeanor appeared increasingly disturbed and withdrawn. The exposure of his private conversations challenged the image of a self-confident and polite surgeon. The messages pictured Alaa M. as a person using crude language and at times manipulative behavior. Following the reading of the chats, the Presiding Judge inquired whether Defense Counsel Bonn intended to submit further motions for evidence. The verdict was scheduled to be announced on June 5, 2025 [Note: The verdict announcement was later rescheduled for June 16, 2025]. Additionally, the Presiding Judge confirmed that the Accused, the Additional Judges, and Defense Counsel Bonn will receive copies of the official records. According to the Court, the Plaintiffs had already received these documents and waived the right to read them independently.
The proceedings were adjourned at 11:14 AM.
The next trial day will be on March 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
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