Jassem a.-F., Ali Abdallah A., Ahmed Mohamed B., Ali S., Nadim a.-J. and Ibrahim a.-C and Bachar a.-A. (known as the Omar Abou Nabout case, after the victim)

Type of liability
Personne physique

Alleged perpetrator(s)
Jassem a.-F., Ali Abdallah A., Ahmed Mohamed B., Ali S., Nadim a.-J. and Ibrahim a.-C and Bachar a.-A.

Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
Syrian

Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in war crimes

Source of the complaint
Victim

Ongoing proceedings
oui

Regime
4 - 113 CP

Summary of facts

On June 7, 2017, the city of Daraa, and more specifically the Tareq al-Sad neighborhood, was bombed by the Syrian army.

This attack, which targeted civilian infrastructure, claimed the life of Salah Abou Nabout, a French-Syrian national.

Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.

Legal proceedings

In 2017: Omar Abou Nabout files, on behalf of his father Salah Abou Nabout, a complaint targeting the Syrian and Russian governments before the Paris Judicial Court. 
June 29, 2018: An investigation is opened. 
In 2020: SCM joins the proceedings as a civil party. 
October 18, 2023: Four international arrest warrants are issued against Fahd Jassem a.-F., former Minister of Defense, Ali Abdallah A., former Chief of Staff of the Army, Ahmed Mohamed B., former Air Force Commander, and Ali S., former commander of the 64th Helicopter Brigade, for “complicity in war crimes.” 
In March 2024: The investigating judges close the investigation. 
In May 2024: The prosecutor requests that the investigation be reopened and that two new arrest warrants be issued. 
September 4, 2024: The investigating judges issue two new arrest warrants against Nadim a.-J. and Ibrahim a.-C. for “complicity in war crimes.” 
January 21, 2025: Following a request from the prosecutor, the investigating judges issue an arrest warrant against former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for “complicity in war crimes.” 
January 24, 2025: A closing order (ordonnance de règlement) is issued, concluding the investigation.

Complaint

non

Names of NGOs / Victim(s)

Omar Abou Nabout
SCM

Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)

113-7 PC

Sources

Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2023"

Le Figaro, "Mandats d’arrêt français contre des dignitaires de l’armée syrienne : «ce n'est que le début», témoigne le fils de la victime", 2023

Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2025"

Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2026"