Syria
Adib M.
Type of liability
Personne physique
Alleged perpetrator(s)
Adib M.
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
Syrian-French
Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in crimes against humanity
Complicity in war crimes
Participation in a conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes
Laundering of the proceeds of these offenses
Source of the complaint
Public Prosecutor's Office
Ongoing proceedings
oui
Regime
4 - 113 CP
Summary of facts
Adib M. was Governor of the Central Bank of Syria from 2005 to 2016, and then Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade until 2017.
As Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, he is suspected of having financed the crimes attributed to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, which is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2011 and 2017.
Since 2012, Adib M. had been subject to European sanctions for his “economic and financial support” for the crackdown on the Syrian civilian population.
Adib M. has held French nationality since 1993. He lives in France. His Gallicized name is André M.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
December 5, 2017: a judicial investigation is opened and the case is assigned to an investigating judge.<br />
December 16, 2022: Adib M. is arrested on French territory.<br />
December 22, 2022: Adib M. is indicted for “complicity in crimes against humanity”, “complicity in war crimes”, “laundering of the proceeds of these offenses participation in a conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes”. He is placed under judicial supervision.<br />
June 20, 2023: Adib M. challenges his indictment by invoking his functional immunity.<br />
January 26, 2024: the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) join as civil parties.<br />
May 21, 2024: the investigating judges annul Adib M.’s indictment on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence against him at that stage of the proceedings. He is placed under assisted witness status. The PNAT appeals this decision.<br />
June 5, 2024: the Paris Court of Appeal rejects Abid M.’s functional immunity, holding that “these international crimes cannot be covered by the principle of immunity and allow impunity for their perpetrators”. Abid M. appeals to the Court of Cassation.<br />
January 15, 2025: the Paris Court of Appeal upholds Abid M.’s assisted witness status.<br />
July 25, 2025: the Court of Cassation refuses to grant immunity to Adib M., confirming that functional immunities do not apply to international crimes.<br />
August 5, 2025: a closing order (ordonnance de règlement) is issued, ending the judicial investigation.</p>
Legal issues
Complaint
Names of NGOs / Victim(s)
SCM
Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)
Sources
Trial international, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review", 2025
Cour de cassation, AP, 25 juillet 2025
Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2026"