Advertisement

Syrian migrant on trial in Austria over 20 murders

The Local/AFP
The Local/AFP - [email protected]
Syrian migrant on trial in Austria over 20 murders
Photo: AndreyPopov/Depositphotos"

A Syrian migrant went on trial in Austria on Wednesday for allegedly executing 20 wounded government soldiers in his home country.

Advertisement

The 27-year-old was arrested in a refugee shelter in western Austria last June after being denounced by a fellow Syrian.

He has been charged with 20 charges of "murder as a terror offence" and faces life in prison if found guilty.

According to Austrian media, the accused had boasted to other asylum seekers about shooting unarmed or wounded troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar-al Assad.

After his arrest, the suspect initially admitted to the 2013-2014 killings in the western city of Homs and the surrounding region but later retracted his confession.

Austria cannot extradite the man to face charges in Syria because of the bloody six-year civil war pitting Assad's government against rebel groups.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also