US Edition
France's Highest Court Annuls Arrest Warrant Against Ex Syrian President Assad
FRANCE, JUL 25 – The court reviews allegations linking Assad to chemical attacks that killed over 1,000 people and war crimes, with a ruling potentially setting a key international law precedent.
- On Friday, France's Court of Cassation declared the warrant invalid because it was issued while he was in office, adding that a new warrant can be issued.
- The warrant traces back to November 2023 when French authorities issued it over an alleged sarin gas attack in August 2013, which killed more than 1,000 people in Adra and Douma.
- The case is pursued under universal jurisdiction, reflecting that international law suspends immunity for heads of state accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide.
- The high court's prosecutor recommended upholding the warrant on the basis that France has not recognized him as Syria's legitimate ruler since 2012, while Mazen Darwish called the argument `very clever`.
- In the view of rights activists, Agnes Callamard described the potential to `pave the way for a major precedent in international law`, while rights activists say it could strengthen accountability for war crimes.
12 Articles
12 Articles
France's highest court has lifted an arrest warrant for former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria's civil war.
France’s Top Court Says Arrest Warrant for Assad Is Invalid, New One Can Be Issued
A poster depicting Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad is placed on a building in Damascus, after last week’s rebel seizure of Aleppo marked the biggest offensive for years, Syria, Dec. 5, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Firas Makdesi France’s highest court ruled on Friday that an arrest warrant for former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad was invalid as it was issued when he was still in office, but said a new warrant can now be issued as he is no longer a sitt…
The editorial of "Liberation" summarizes the main news of Friday.
France's highest court annuls arrest warrant against ex Syrian president Assad
France's Court of Cassation Friday annulled a French arrest warrant against former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad as part of a probe into deadly 2013 chemical attacks during the country's civil war, ruling that there were no exceptions to presidential immunity. France24 journalist Claire Paccalin speaks to Jeanne Sulzar, Lawyer for the Civil Parties.
French court cancels arrest warrant for former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad
French Court of Cassation overturns Assad's arrest warrant for alleged complicity in crimes against humanity, war crimes related to chemical attacks in August 2013, which killed over 1,000 people - Anadolu Ajansı
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 38% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
