Back to map
Syria
Bombing of the Baba Amr press center, Homs
Type of liability
Personne physique
Alleged perpetrator(s)
X
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
Syrian
Legal classification of crime(s)
War crimes
Source of the complaint
Public Prosecutor's Office
Ongoing proceedings
oui
Regime
4 - 113 CP
Summary of facts
On February 22, 2012, Rémi Ochlik, a French photojournalist, and Marie Colvin, an American journalist, lost their lives in bombings in Homs, Syria, which reportedly targeted a press center. French journalist Edith Bouvier was seriously injured in the leg, as was British journalist Paul Conroy.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
<p>March 2, 2012: The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office opens a preliminary investigation for “murder” and “attempted murder.” Reporters sans frontière (RSF) joins the proceedings as a civil party.<br />
In 2013: Reporters sans Frontières joins the proceedings as a civil party.<br />
In October 2014: A judicial investigation is opened before the specialized unit. The facts are reclassified as “war crimes.”<br />
In November 2014: FIDH joins the proceedings as a civil party.<br />
In July 2015: The Colvin family files a civil lawsuit in the United States seeking damages for the extrajudicial execution of Marie Colvin.<br />
March 12, 2018: Marie Colvin’s family, as well as photographer Paul Conroy and two Syrian individuals, join the proceedings as civil parties.<br />
April 9, 2018: Declassified U.S. documents on the death of Marie Colvin show the premeditated nature of the Syrian bombing of this center, where numerous journalists were gathered. These documents are added to the French case file.<br />
January 30, 2019: A U.S. court recognizes the civil liability of the Syrian regime for the death of Marie Colvin, the victim of a targeted killing carried out under Syria’s policy of violence against journalists branded as “spies.” The Syrian State is ordered to pay $302.5 million (€264 million) in damages.<br />
In November 2022: Following a request from the civil parties, Syrian activists are interviewed by the investigators.<br />
September 2, 2025: The investigating judges issue 7 arrest warrants for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. These arrest warrants target Bashar al-Assad (former Syrian head of state), Ali Ayoub (former Chief of Staff of the Syrian army), Ali Mamlouk (former head of Syrian General Intelligence), Ghassan Bilal (former head of the Security Office of the 4th Division of the Syrian army), Maher al-Assad (former Major General and de facto head of the 4th Division of the Syrian army), Mohamed Dib Zaitoun (former head of the General Security Directorate), Rafik Mahmoud Shahadah (former security chief of the Homs Military and Security Committee).</p>
In 2013: Reporters sans Frontières joins the proceedings as a civil party.<br />
In October 2014: A judicial investigation is opened before the specialized unit. The facts are reclassified as “war crimes.”<br />
In November 2014: FIDH joins the proceedings as a civil party.<br />
In July 2015: The Colvin family files a civil lawsuit in the United States seeking damages for the extrajudicial execution of Marie Colvin.<br />
March 12, 2018: Marie Colvin’s family, as well as photographer Paul Conroy and two Syrian individuals, join the proceedings as civil parties.<br />
April 9, 2018: Declassified U.S. documents on the death of Marie Colvin show the premeditated nature of the Syrian bombing of this center, where numerous journalists were gathered. These documents are added to the French case file.<br />
January 30, 2019: A U.S. court recognizes the civil liability of the Syrian regime for the death of Marie Colvin, the victim of a targeted killing carried out under Syria’s policy of violence against journalists branded as “spies.” The Syrian State is ordered to pay $302.5 million (€264 million) in damages.<br />
In November 2022: Following a request from the civil parties, Syrian activists are interviewed by the investigators.<br />
September 2, 2025: The investigating judges issue 7 arrest warrants for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. These arrest warrants target Bashar al-Assad (former Syrian head of state), Ali Ayoub (former Chief of Staff of the Syrian army), Ali Mamlouk (former head of Syrian General Intelligence), Ghassan Bilal (former head of the Security Office of the 4th Division of the Syrian army), Maher al-Assad (former Major General and de facto head of the 4th Division of the Syrian army), Mohamed Dib Zaitoun (former head of the General Security Directorate), Rafik Mahmoud Shahadah (former security chief of the Homs Military and Security Committee).</p>
Complaint
non
Names of NGOs / Victim(s)
RSF
FIDH
FIDH
Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)
113-7 PC