A district court in The Hague sentenced a former member of a pro-Assad militia to 26 years in prison for crimes against humanity involving torture and sexual violence. The conviction follows an investigation into actions carried out more than a decade ago in Syria.

The court determined that Rafik A., 58, served as an interrogator for the National Defence Forces (NDF) in Salamiyah during 2013 and 2014. The NDF is a militia aligned with the government of then-President Bashar al-Assad. According to the judgment, Rafik A. was involved in systematically torturing and raping detainees held by the group during this period.

Throughout the trial, Rafik A. denied any participation in the alleged abuses. However, the judges concluded that the evidence showed his direct involvement in severe violations of international law. The sentence reflects the serious nature of the offenses, which are categorized as crimes against humanity.

This case is one of the rare examples of accountability for alleged war crimes committed in Syria reaching a Western judicial system. It underscores ongoing efforts to address human rights violations linked to the Syrian conflict, even many years after the acts occurred.

The court’s ruling highlights the legal mechanisms available to prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity beyond their country of origin, particularly when domestic systems cannot or will not pursue such cases. Rafik A.’s imprisonment marks a significant development in international justice related to the Syrian civil war.