French judiciary: Lawsuit against Syrian officials for "Coast Massacres"
Syrian lawyer Imran Mansour, residing in the French capital Paris, revealed that French judicial authorities have filed a legal suit against a number of Syrian officials, related to charges of "genocide and ethnic cleansing," as reported by "Erem News" website.
This step comes amidst strained relations between Paris and Damascus, raising questions about its potential impact on the diplomatic path between the two countries, especially with the increasing international legal actions against Syrian officials.
Mansour explained that the lawsuit is based on the principle of "universal jurisdiction," which authorizes the French judiciary to consider crimes falling within the scope of international law, such as "genocide, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing," even if they occurred outside French territory.
He added: "Similar lawsuits have been filed in France against the Assad regime, some targeting President Bashar al-Assad personally, resulting in arrest warrants issued against him," indicating that the current case represents a continuation of efforts by human rights organizations and French figures seeking accountability for those involved in crimes documented in the Syrian coast, viewed as genocide due to their systematic nature.
The Syrian lawyer noted that the lawsuit is still in its early stages, after the French public prosecutor's office decided to open an official investigation, to be followed by extensive investigations requiring the collection of physical evidence and reliable testimonies.
He considered that the independence and neutrality of the French judiciary enable it to distinguish between political accusations and crimes supported by legal evidence, affirming that France, as a permanent member of the Security Council, possesses legal and diplomatic mechanisms that allow it to pursue the case within international frameworks.
Mansour expected that this step would impact the diplomatic path between the two countries, especially with previous French attempts to reassess its position on the Syrian crisis, and did not rule out European courts issuing arrest warrants or travel bans against the accused, or even Interpol issuing international "red notices."
He pointed out that Washington's non-recognition of the legitimacy of the Syrian regime may enhance the international nature of the legal action and increase political pressure on Damascus.
This comes as investigations by fact-finding committees continue, while speculations remain open about the developments of the case and its potential implications.
