Inside the Alaa M. Trial #19: To be continued…
Higher Regional Court – Frankfurt, Germany
Trial Monitoring Summary #19
Hearing Dates: July 26, 2022
SJAC’s 19th trial monitoring report details day 28 of the trial of Alaa M. in Frankfurt, Germany. The Judges, the Prosecutors, and the Plaintiffs’ Counsel all completed their questioning of the second survivors-witness in the trial. Then, the defense team started their questioning, which was marked by disputes between the defense counsels and the witness, as well as between the defense counsels and other parties to the trial. After asking Alaa M. some follow-up questions on military ranks and certain persons, the session was closed, and the defense team’s questioning of the witness was set to continue on the following trial day.
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.
Highlights:
Day 28 – July 26, 2022
After a few follow-up questions from the Judges, the Prosecutors questioned the second survivor-witness in the trial. Then the defense team started their questioning. It was marked by several discussions between the defense counsel, the witness, and other parties. The presiding judge had to remind the parties several times to remain calm and not engage in meaningless discussions that merely prolong the proceedings. The defense team’s questioning of this witness will continue on at least one more trial day.
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