Syria
Salah H.
Type of liability
Personne physique
Alleged perpetrator(s)
Salah H.
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
French-Syrian
Legal classification of crime(s)
Criminal conspiracy (crimes against humanity)
Complicity in crimes against humanity
Complicity in war crimes
Laundering of the proceeds of war crimes and crimes against humanity
Source of the complaint
Public Prosecutor's Office
Ongoing proceedings
oui
Regime
4 – 113 CP
Summary of facts
Salah H. is a French-Syrian businessman, owner of the company Yona Star International, which specializes in maritime transport. He allegedly supplied equipment to the Syrian army and to the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, including components that could be used to manufacture chemical weapons.
He and his company are also accused of having sold equipment and components used directly for the surveillance and repression of the population, despite the existence of an international embargo at the material time.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
December 25, 2021: Salah H. is arrested and indicted in a judicial investigation opened for “criminal conspiracy to commit crimes against humanity,” “complicity in crimes against humanity” and “complicity in war crimes,” as well as for “laundering of the proceeds of war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He is placed in pre-trial detention.<br />
In January 2022: FIDH, SCM and LDH join the proceedings as civil parties.<br />
February 17, 2022: Salah H. is released but placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring.<br />
February 24, 2022: The Paris Court of Appeal upholds the house arrest.</p>
Complaint
Names of NGOs / Victim(s)
SCM
LDH
Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)
Sources
Le Monde, "Un Franco-Syrien poursuivi en France pour « complicité de crimes »", 2022
Trial International, "Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review 2023"