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The cries of the victims of the poison gas attack in Ghouta have been etched in the memory of the Syrian Eman.
The nurse wants Syrian ruler Bashar al Assad and those responsible for the attack to be charged. That is why she and her husband Mohammed are witnesses to criminal charges brought by human rights organizations in Germany. They ask us to remain anonymous, fearing their family:
Eman F
I am concerned about my mother and sisters who still live in Syria because it is a regime of injustice. He hates us and has no mercy. He has no conscience … otherwise they would not have done this to us
On August 21, 2013, at least four poison gas rockets hit rebel-held east Gouta, filled with the deadly sarin.
More than a thousand people die. Men women and many children, including the eldest son of Eman and Mohammed. You yourself are unconscious for days.
To this day, the Syrian state denies any responsibility for this war crime.
Mohammed F.
I hope that one day I can appear before the judge and tell what these chemical attacks did to us.
Eman F
It was so horrible that I can’t describe it to you. People lay on the ground like ants killed with a spray. I just can’t forget these photos.
Hadi al Khatib is convinced of the guilt of the Syrian regime. For years, the founder of the Syrian Archives, along with two other human rights organizations, meticulously analyzed the location of the launch, the rockets and the timing of the attacks. In their criminal complaint, they also document that Syria had a secret chemical weapons program for years and where the poison gas was stored.
Hadi Al Khatib, Gründer Syrian Archive / Founder Sirius Archive
Based on our investigation, we assume that it is highly likely that Division 450, an association of various special forces, coordinated and carried out the attacks.
Together with the news magazine Der Spiegel, the DW investigation team was able to inspect the confidential documentation. 50 deserters from within the Syrian power apparatus have a voice in the criminal complaint. They also name the names of the people allegedly responsible: including Syrian ruler Bashar al Assad and his younger brother Maher.
Steve Kostas, Open Society Justice Initiative
A witness has described to us that Maher al Assad normally requests the use of sarin gas. The application is then sent to the Presidential Palace, where it is approved. Therefore, we believe that Bashar al-Assad approved or ordered the operation.
The criminal complaint was filed with the Karlsruhe Prosecutor General in October. The so-called war crimes unit has been investigating war crimes in Syria for years.
The Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirms receipt of the criminal complaint, but does not comment on specific cases. So much so: they are in the process of examining the evidence and then deciding whether to prosecute the individuals. This can take weeks or even months.
Nurse Eman is still suffering from nervous attacks and has to take pills to get through the day. But the fact that an investigation is now underway in Germany gives him strength and hope that those responsible for all his suffering will one day be held accountable.
