The New York Times: Syrian Officers Who Hid in Plain Sight Face War Crime Charges in Austria

Carlotta Gall for the New York Times spoke to Nerma Jelacic (CIJA Director for External Relations) at the start of the trial of Brigadier General Al-Halabi and Lieutenant Colonel Abu Rukbah in Vienna, who are on trial for torture, sexual coercion, aggravated coercion and serious bodily harm, carried out in Raqqa between 2011-2013.  

Excerpts:

"Tracking and bringing Mr. al-Halabi and Mr. Abu Rukbah to court turned into one of the longest and most complex investigations of all.

Members of one nonprofit, the Commission for International Justice and Accountability, have been investigating Mr. al-Halabi for 12 years. The group notified the Austrian government of his presence in Austria in 2016, said Nerma Jelacic, the organization’s spokeswoman.

“The start of this case underlines once again that justice is achievable even if it takes longer than expected,” she said. “Halabi is one of the highest-ranking Syrian regime officials to be put on trial charged with a very serious litany of crimes.” "

Read the full article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/world/middleeast/syria-war-crimes-trial-austria.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nFA.CMGG.X38CserJ91sr&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Image: Joe Klamar-Agence France-Presse-Getty Images

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