Jakarta Aktual – 17 June 2026 | A Dutch court jails Syrian militia commander, Rafiq al-Qatrib, for 26 years for crimes against humanity, including torture and rape, committed during the Syrian civil war. The 58-year-old Syrian national was found guilty of 19 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, which took place in and around the city of Salamiyah in Hama Governorate between 2013 and 2014. The court’s verdict is a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of the Syrian conflict.
The Dutch court jails Syrian militia commanders like al-Qatrib, who was the head of the interrogation unit of the National Defense Force (NDF), a pro-Assad militia. The court heard testimonies from nine victims, who gave evidence of the torture and abuse they suffered at the hands of al-Qatrib and his accomplices. The victims’ testimonies revealed a pattern of brutal treatment, including beatings, suspension upside down, and electric shocks.
The Dutch court jails Syrian perpetrators, such as al-Qatrib, under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows Dutch courts to try serious international crimes committed abroad. The court’s decision sets a legal precedent in the Netherlands, as it is the first to classify other forms of sexual violence of comparable gravity as a crime against humanity. The severity of the crimes and the suffering of the victims were central factors in determining the sentence.
The verdict was welcomed by Syrian survivors and human rights activists, who see it as a step towards justice and accountability for the atrocities committed during the Syrian conflict. The Dutch court’s decision to jail Syrian militia commanders like al-Qatrib sends a strong message that perpetrators of crimes against humanity cannot escape responsibility by fleeing to the Netherlands.
The case against al-Qatrib was brought under universal jurisdiction, which allows Dutch courts to try serious international crimes wherever they were committed. The investigation was launched following a complaint filed in November 2021, and the trial began in April 2026. The Dutch public prosecution had requested the maximum sentence against al-Qatrib, and the court’s decision to jail him for 26 years is seen as a significant victory for justice.
In conclusion, the Dutch court jails Syrian militia commander, Rafiq al-Qatrib, for 26 years, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for victims of the Syrian conflict. The court’s decision to jail Syrian perpetrators under the principle of universal jurisdiction sets a legal precedent in the Netherlands and sends a strong message that perpetrators of crimes against humanity cannot escape responsibility.
