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Syria
Majdi N.
Type of liability
Personne physique
Alleged perpetrator(s)
Majdi N.
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
Syrian
Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in war crimes (PARTIAL DISMISSAL, COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL)
Torture and complicity in torture (DISMISSAL)
Complicity in enforced disappearances (DISMISSAL)
Participation in a group formed or a conspiracy established with a view to preparing war crimes (COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL)
Source of the complaint
NGO
Victim
Ongoing proceedings
oui
Regime
2 - 689-1 CPP
3 - 689-11 CPP
Summary of facts
Majdi N. was allegedly a spokesperson for Jaysh al-Islam, an armed group mainly active in Eastern Ghouta (in the vicinity of Damascus, Syria).
The group was allegedly involved in the conscription and forced enlistment of children, as well as in acts of torture, murder, kidnapping and detention, and is suspected of having been involved in the abduction and enforced disappearance of human rights defenders Razan Zaitouneh, Nazem Al-Hammadi, Wael Hamada and Samira Al-Khalil.
In May 2013, Majdi. N. allegedly went to Turkey after two months in Eastern Ghouta. He allegedly left the Jaysh al-Islam group in 2017, before coming to France as a student in 2019.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
<p>June 26, 2019<b><span data-contrast="none">:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> FIDH, LDH, SCM and victims file a complaint with the public prosecutor at the Paris High Court concerning acts constituting torture, crimes against humanity, war crimes and complicity in these crimes, allegedly committed between 2012 and 2018 on Syrian territory by members of the Salafist Islamist group Jaysh Al-Islam, which was waging an armed struggle with the aim of replacing the regime of Bashar el-Assad with a government based on Sharia.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>January 29, 2020:<span data-contrast="none"> Majdi N. is arrested in France.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>January 31, 2020<span data-contrast="none">: a judicial investigation is opened. Majdi N. is indicted for torture and complicity in torture, complicity in enforced disappearances, war crimes and complicity in war crimes, and participation in a group formed or a conspiracy established with a view to preparing war crimes, and he is placed in pre-trial detention.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>July 23, 2020:<span data-contrast="none"> Majdi N. seeks the annulment of the initial prosecution submission, the supplementary prosecution submission and the first-appearance examination, on the grounds that the French prosecuting and trial authorities lack jurisdiction over the offenses in question.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>April 4, 2022:<span data-contrast="none"> the Investigating Chamber issues a judgment finding no grounds to annul any act or document of the proceedings. The defense appeals to the Court of Cassation.<br />
</span><b><span data-contrast="none">May 12, 2023:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> the Court of Cassation dismisses the appeal and recognizes the universal jurisdiction of the French courts, interpreting the criteria of habitual residence and double criminality under Article 689-11 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP).</span></p>
<p>July 19, 2023:<span data-contrast="none"> the investigating judges, following two partial dismissals – concerning the charges of torture and complicity in torture – order the committal of Majdi N. for trial before the Paris Assize Court for:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in war crimes through the conscription or enlistment of minors into an armed group, the launching of deliberate attacks against the civilian population, willful attacks on life and on physical or mental integrity, and abduction or unlawful confinement,</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in enforced disappearances</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Participation in a conspiracy or an armed group formed with a view to preparing war crimes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span>November 20, 2023:<span data-contrast="none"> the Investigating Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal, upheld by the Court of Cassation on </span>February 14, 2024, <span data-contrast="none">orders the dismissal of the charges of</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">complicity in enforced disappearances while stating </span><i><span data-contrast="none">“that it indeed follows from the judicial investigation and the numerous testimonies gathered that Jaysh al-Islam must be considered responsible for the disappearance of the four activists”</span></i><span data-contrast="none">,</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">complicity in war crimes through the launching of deliberate attacks, through willful attacks on life and on physical or mental integrity, and abductions and unlawful confinement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>From April 29 to May 23, 2025: Majdi. N. is tried before an Assize Court <span data-contrast="none">for:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in war crimes through the conscription or enlistment of minors into an armed group and,</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Participation in a group with a view to preparing war crimes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}">May 28, 2025: Majdi N. is found guilty of the war crime of conscripting minors aged 15 to 18 and of the offense of participating in a group formed with a view to preparing war crimes in Syria between 2013 and 2016, and is sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Majdi N. appeals.<br />
From June 15 to July 9, 2027: the appeal trial will take place.</span></p>
</span>January 29, 2020:<span data-contrast="none"> Majdi N. is arrested in France.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>January 31, 2020<span data-contrast="none">: a judicial investigation is opened. Majdi N. is indicted for torture and complicity in torture, complicity in enforced disappearances, war crimes and complicity in war crimes, and participation in a group formed or a conspiracy established with a view to preparing war crimes, and he is placed in pre-trial detention.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>July 23, 2020:<span data-contrast="none"> Majdi N. seeks the annulment of the initial prosecution submission, the supplementary prosecution submission and the first-appearance examination, on the grounds that the French prosecuting and trial authorities lack jurisdiction over the offenses in question.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"><br />
</span>April 4, 2022:<span data-contrast="none"> the Investigating Chamber issues a judgment finding no grounds to annul any act or document of the proceedings. The defense appeals to the Court of Cassation.<br />
</span><b><span data-contrast="none">May 12, 2023:</span></b><span data-contrast="none"> the Court of Cassation dismisses the appeal and recognizes the universal jurisdiction of the French courts, interpreting the criteria of habitual residence and double criminality under Article 689-11 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP).</span></p>
<p>July 19, 2023:<span data-contrast="none"> the investigating judges, following two partial dismissals – concerning the charges of torture and complicity in torture – order the committal of Majdi N. for trial before the Paris Assize Court for:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in war crimes through the conscription or enlistment of minors into an armed group, the launching of deliberate attacks against the civilian population, willful attacks on life and on physical or mental integrity, and abduction or unlawful confinement,</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in enforced disappearances</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Participation in a conspiracy or an armed group formed with a view to preparing war crimes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span>November 20, 2023:<span data-contrast="none"> the Investigating Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal, upheld by the Court of Cassation on </span>February 14, 2024, <span data-contrast="none">orders the dismissal of the charges of</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">complicity in enforced disappearances while stating </span><i><span data-contrast="none">“that it indeed follows from the judicial investigation and the numerous testimonies gathered that Jaysh al-Islam must be considered responsible for the disappearance of the four activists”</span></i><span data-contrast="none">,</span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">complicity in war crimes through the launching of deliberate attacks, through willful attacks on life and on physical or mental integrity, and abductions and unlawful confinement.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p>From April 29 to May 23, 2025: Majdi. N. is tried before an Assize Court <span data-contrast="none">for:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></p>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Complicity in war crimes through the conscription or enlistment of minors into an armed group and,</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
<li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Garamond" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Garamond","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Participation in a group with a view to preparing war crimes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}"> </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"335551550":6,"335551620":6}">May 28, 2025: Majdi N. is found guilty of the war crime of conscripting minors aged 15 to 18 and of the offense of participating in a group formed with a view to preparing war crimes in Syria between 2013 and 2016, and is sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Majdi N. appeals.<br />
From June 15 to July 9, 2027: the appeal trial will take place.</span></p>
Legal issues
Interpretation of the double criminality and habitual residence requirements (689-11 CCP); Interpretation of the elements of the crime of torture; Interpretation of the elements of the crime of enforced disappearance
Complaint
non
Names of NGOs / Victim(s)
SCM
FIDH
LDH
FIDH
LDH
Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)
689-2 CCP
689-11 CCP
689-11 CCP
Court of Assizes judgment
Complicity in war crimes
Participation in a group formed with a view to preparing war crimes
Participation in a group formed with a view to preparing war crimes
Sources
FIDH, "Syrie : la compétence des juridictions françaises confirmée dans l’affaire Majdi Nema", 2022
Cour de cassation, arrêt du 12 mai 2023
L'Orient-Le Jour, "Abandon des poursuites confirmé en France pour un ex-rebelle salafiste", 2024
Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2026"
FIDH, "Questions-réponses sur la condamnation de Majdi Nema devant la Cour d’assises de Paris", 2025