Syria’s civil war started in 2011. Based on photos and other evidence smuggled out of the country, prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for several high-ranking Syrian officials for war crimes. The evidence shows signs of detainee torture and murder.
Several groups are collecting the evidence including the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA) and the UN. Those accused could be held for trial in places like Germany where there is universal jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes.
Russia and China support the Assad regime and are fighting to keep the UN Security Council from referring it to the International Criminal Court. With Assad on the verge of winning the war, it is likely that those who have allegedly committed these crimes will not face justice unless they travel to a country who could prosecute them.
Article resources:
The Economist "Will smuggled files lead to justice for the Assad regime's victims?"
Lawfare "Justice for Syria: Civil Society, The UN Mechanism and National Proceedings"
Wikipedia "Casualties of the Syrian Civil War"
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