Dutch authorities convict former NDF interrogator Rafik A. to 26 years imprisonment for 19 counts of crimes against humanity committed in Salamiyah
Rafik A. was convicted in the Netherlands today for 19 counts of torture, rape and sexual violence as crimes against humanity, carried out in his role as the Head of the Interrogation Department of the pro-Assad paramilitary, the National Defence Force, in Salamiyah, Hama between 2013-2014. He was sentenced to 26 years in prison, in recognition of ‘the exceptional gravity of the offenses and the suffering of the victims.’ CIJA is proud to have supported this case since August 2022, responding to 12 RFAs from Dutch authorities including extensive contextual analysis on the NDF’s operations in Salamiyah, as well as sharing two proactive reports and contact details of two witnesses.