Former Syrian Colonel Charged with Murder in UK Court

0:00Here's more world news for March 10th. A former Syrian Air Force colonel named Salem Al-Salem faces historic charges in a British court. The 58-year-old is accused of three counts of murder as crimes against humanity for civilian deaths during attacks in a Damascus severed back in 2011. This marks the first time UK prosecutors have brought such a case under their international criminal court law from 2001. Al-Salem served in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, tasked with stopping pro-democracy protests in the Jobar area amid the Arab Spring uprising against. President Bashar al-Assad, officials say his group targeted demonstrators, especially after Friday prayers, as part of a wider crackdown on civilians. He appeared in court by video from his home, looking frail with a breathing tube due to motor neuron disease. He skipped entering a plea because of his health, and the judge denied defense requests to hide his name, stressing open justice. Prosecutors link him directly to the killings of three men in April and July of that year, plus a related charge in another death.

1:05He's also accused of torturing three others while on duty from August 2011 to March 2012. Al-Salem got bailed with a homestay order, as he's not seen as a flight risk. The case now heads to London Central Criminal Court for a hearing this Friday. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. Do not just listen to podcasts, get lost in them comfortably. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com