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Syria
SOS Chrétiens d’Orient
Type of liability
Personnes physiques et morales
Alleged perpetrator(s)
SOS Chrétiens d'Orient
Nationality of alleged perpetrator(s)
French
Legal classification of crime(s)
Complicity in crimes against humanity
Complicity in war crimes
Ongoing proceedings
oui
Regime
4 - 113 CP
Summary of facts
According to Mediapart, since 2016 the association has allegedly paid part of its funds, officially raised for humanitarian operations, to the National Defense Forces, pro-Bashar al-Assas militias that allegedly committed crimes in Syria.
Amnesty International France recalls that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law.
Legal proceedings
<p>December 2, 2020: A preliminary investigation is opened for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.<br />
September 23 to 25, 2025: The headquarters of the French association SOS Chrétiens d’Orient is searched by the Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCHLCH). The computer of Charles de Meyer, president of the association, is specifically targeted. He was reportedly questioned as a suspect on a voluntary basis. Members of the association’s board and former missionaries were also questioned by the investigators.</p>
September 23 to 25, 2025: The headquarters of the French association SOS Chrétiens d’Orient is searched by the Central Office for Combating Crimes against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCHLCH). The computer of Charles de Meyer, president of the association, is specifically targeted. He was reportedly questioned as a suspect on a voluntary basis. Members of the association’s board and former missionaries were also questioned by the investigators.</p>
Complaint
non
Legal basis for jurisdiction (article)
113-6 PC
Sources
Mediapart, "Les liaisons dangereuses de SOS Chrétiens d’Orient avec les milices d’Assad", 2020