Syrian ex-officials face trial in Austria for torture

In Vienna, the trial of former Syrian officials has begun on charges of committing acts of torture and violations against protesters during the initial years of demonstrations against Bashar al-Assad's regime. Both Khaled H. (63 years old) and Musab Abu R. (54 years old) are accused of planning and carrying out acts of torture, sexual coercion, and serious bodily injuries between 2011 and 2013 in the Raqqa governorate. The defendants, who arrived in Austria in 2015 and applied for asylum, are being prosecuted under the principle of universal jurisdiction.