On Monday, Hague District Court in the Netherlands sentenced former Syrian militia member, identified only as Mustafa A., to 12 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during his time as Liwa al-Quds leader between 2011 and 2017.

The court identified Liwa al-Quds, as a “criminal organization that intended to commit… international crimes”. The court stated Liwa-al Quds is “one of the most important and loyal allies” of the Syrian-Assad government, describing the pro- government militia’s violence as so “widespread and carried out systematically that it constituted crimes against humanity”. The crimes committed by the group included: looting and violence against civilians, unlawful deprivations of civilians liberty including suppressing demonstrators and government opposition members during the Syrian civil war. 

The court stated Mustafa A. was a high ranking member of Liwa al-Quds, known within the group as “commander” and “was one of five Liwa al-Quds leaders to receive a high Russian military decoration in 2015″. Aside from being charged for his participation in Liwa al-Quds, the court deemed Mustafa A. complicit in the unlawful arrest, deportation and torture of a Palestinian refugee with opposing  views in 2013. Mustafa A. was charged with knowingly handing over the refugee to the Intelligence Service of the Syrian Air Force, who is “infamous for its cruel torture practices, often with fatal consequences”, stated the court. 

As the crimes committed in Syria constitute international crimes, the Hague District Court has jurisdiction to rule over this case. Today’s sentencing follows similar rulings against foreign war crimes throughout Europe, including Sweden and Germany.