Syria
Qosmos [CASE DISMISSED]
Type of liability
Personne morale
Alleged perpetrator(s)
QOSMOS
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
French
Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in acts of torture
Source of the complaint
NGO
Ongoing proceedings
non
Regime
3 - 689-11 CPP
Summary of facts
In the early years of the Syrian conflict, Bashar al-Assad’s regime reportedly specifically targeted human rights defenders, activists and cyber-activists. The identification of these targets by Bashar al-Assad’s regime was made possible by sophisticated communication tools.
The French company Qosmos, which specializes in providing Deep Packet Inspection, is accused of having contributed to supplying the Syrian regime with surveillance equipment enabling the Syrian intelligence services to intercept, in real time, electronic communications identified by means of keywords, and thereby to identify dissenting voices.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
April 11, 2014: A judicial investigation is opened into Qosmos’s role in the alleged acts of “complicity in acts of torture” committed in Syria.<br />
April 17, 2015: After being questioned by the investigating judge, Qosmos is granted assisted witness status.<br />
In July 2015: Five Syrian victims testify anonymously. The five witnesses heard had been identified, arrested and tortured by the Syrian regime following the surveillance of their electronic communications. For security reasons, they were unable to join the proceedings as civil parties, as this would have led to the disclosure of their identities.<br />
In January 2018: The investigating judge in charge of the case gives notice of the intention to close the judicial investigation. Shortly afterwards, FIDH and LDH file a request to hear a new witness. This request is granted by the investigating judge.<br />
February 8, 2021: The investigating judge issues a dismissal order.</p>
Complaint
Names of NGOs / Victim(s)
LDH