#57 Inside the Raslan Trial: Defense Demands Acquittal

SJAC’s 57th trial monitoring report details day 109 of the trial of Anwar Raslan in Koblenz. On this day, Raslan’s Defense Counsel requested an acquittal, arguing that Raslan had no authority at Branch 251, did not personally torture any detainees, and did not order anyone to be tortured. According to the Defense, Raslan used his very limited powers to help detainees, and was unable to defect and safely leave Syria with his family at an earlier time. In a written statement, read out by his interpreter, Raslan added that Tawfiq Younes and Hafez Makhlouf were the ones responsible for the performance of torture and the poor detention conditions at Branch 251. Raslan turned to all Syrians, asking them for forgiveness because he was unable to help more people. He stated that he considers himself to be a victim as well.