Gerechtshof Den Haag, 14-11-2023, ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2023:2961, 22-002229-21ENG
Gerechtshof Den Haag, 14-11-2023, ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2023:2961, 22-002229-21ENG
Gegevens
- Instantie
- Gerechtshof Den Haag
- Datum uitspraak
- 14 november 2023
- Datum publicatie
- 19 februari 2025
- ECLI
- ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2023:2961
- Formele relaties
- Einduitspraak: ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2023:2191
- Cassatie: ECLI:NL:HR:2025:293
- Zaaknummer
- 22-002229-21ENG
Inhoudsindicatie
Execution of a prisoner of war in Syria. Prison sentence of 23.5 years. War crime in a non-international armed conflict (Article 6 WIM). Participation in a terrorist organisation in Syria (Article 140a Sr.). Jurisdiction based on Article 6 Sr. and Article 4(2) of the Decree on International Obligations regarding Extraterritorial Jurisdiction.
Uitspraak
Cause list number: 22-002229-21
Public Prosecutor’s Office number: 09-748001-18
Date of judgment: 14 November 2023
JUDGMENT AFTER TRIAL
The Hague Court of Appeal
joint bench for criminal proceedings
Judgment
rendered on appeal against the judgment of the District Court of The Hague of 16 July 2021 in the criminal case against the accused:
[accused],
born in [place of birth] (Syria) on [day of birth],
currently detained at the Vught prison facility in Vught.
Investigation name: 26BlackWell
Table of contents
1 List of abbreviations used
2. Examination of the case
3. Procedure
4. Admissibility of the accused on appeal
5. Indictment
6. Jurisdiction with regard to part E of the charges under Count 2
7. Request by the Advocates General
8. The judgment appealed against
9. Evidence-based argumentation
10. Further evidentiary considerations regarding the charges under Count 1
Legal framework
Non-international armed conflict and knowledge thereof
The protected status of the victim
Nexus
Establishing the facts
The execution video
NFI research into the execution video
Intermediate assessment
Killing as a war crime
Non-international armed conflict in Syria
The victim's protected status
Nexus
Conclusion
11. Further evidentiary considerations regarding the charges under Count 2
Legal framework
Terrorist intent
Participation
The organisation Ghuraba'a Mohassan
Ghuraba'a Mohassan's intent
Introduction
The attack on the carpet factory
The execution of [victim]
Conclusion regarding Ghuraba'a Mohassan's terrorist intent
The role of the accused within Ghuraba'a Mohassan
Conclusion
Partial acquittal for participation in Jabhat al-Nusra
The intent of Jabhat al-Nusra
Assessment
12. Declaration of charges proven
12. Criminal nature of the proven charges
12. Criminal liability of the accused
12. Grounds for the sentence
Severity of the facts and the circumstances under which they were committed
The personality and the personal circumstances of the accused
16. Request for imposition of the compensation measure
16. Applicable legal provisions
16. Judgment
1 List of abbreviations used
ICC International Criminal Court
ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross
ICTY International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
GC Geneva Convention(s)
GM Ghuraba'a Mohassan
Sr Wetboek van Strafrecht [Dutch Criminal Code]
Sv Wetboek van Strafvordering [Dutch Code of Criminal Procedure]
Wim International Crimes Act
UN United Nations
WWM Weapons and Ammunition Act
2 Examination of the case
This judgment was rendered as a result of the examination at the hearing in the first instance and the examination at the hearing in the appeal proceedings of this Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal has taken cognisance of the request of the Advocates General and of that which has been put forward by and on behalf of the accused and by and on behalf of the victim's next of kin.