Latest news with #chemicalattack
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
French Prosecutors Seek New Arrest Warrant against Bashar Assad
French prosecutors said Monday they have requested a new arrest warrant against Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad over a deadly 2013 chemical attacks after a previous one was cancelled, AFP reported. It is now up to investigating magistrates to decide whether to issue the new warrant. French investigators have since 2021 been looking into a suspected Syrian government sarin gas attack that killed more than 1,000 people, according to US intelligence, on August 4 and 5, 2013, in the areas of Adra and Douma outside Damascus. The Court of Cassation, France's highest court, on Friday ruled there were no exceptions to presidential immunity, even for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, annulling a French warrant against Assad issued in 2023 when he was still leader. It however added that, as Assad, who was toppled in December, was no longer president, new warrants could be issued and the French investigation could continue. In November 2023, the French judiciary issued an arrest warrant against Assad on charges of complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes, in connection with the chemical attacks attributed to the Syrian government under his rule. The French judiciary tackled the case under the principle of universal jurisdiction, whereby a court may prosecute individuals for serious crimes committed in other countries. An investigation – based on testimonies of survivors and military defectors, as well as photos and video footage – led to warrants for the arrest of Assad, his brother Maher – then head of the Syrian army's fourth division – and two generals, Ghassan Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan. Public prosecutors approved three of the warrants, but issued an appeal against the one targeting Assad, arguing he should have immunity as a head of state. The Paris Court of Appeal in June last year however upheld it, and prosecutors again appealed. Assad and his family fled to Russia, according to Russian authorities, after opposition fighters seized power on December 8. Another French warrant is already out for Assad's arrest, issued in January for suspected complicity in war crimes for a bombing in the Syrian city of Daraa in 2017 that killed a French-Syrian civilian.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
New legal action launched against Syria's Assad after French court ruling
New legal proceedings have been set in motion against Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad, after France's top court cleared the way for prosecution now that he no longer holds office. French prosecutors have asked magistrates to issue a new arrest warrant for Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad over a deadly 2013 chemical attack, following the annulment of a previous warrant due to presidential immunity. The move comes after France's top court, the Court of Cassation, last Friday quashed a 2023 warrant targeting Assad while he was still in power. The court ruled that heads of state are protected by personal immunity – even in cases involving alleged war crimes or crimes against humanity. However, the court's president, Christophe Soulard, said that since Assad was toppled by Islamist-led fighters in December 2024, fresh arrest warrants may now be issued, and the investigation can proceed. France's highest court to rule on arrest warrant for ex-Syrian president Assad French authorities have been investigating the sarin gas attacks on Adra and Douma, near Damascus, which took place on 4 to 5 August 2013. More than 1,000 people were killed, according to US intelligence. Assad is accused of complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the command structure behind the attack. On Friday, the National Anti-Terror Prosecutor's Office confirmed it had requested 'the issuing and international dissemination' of a new warrant against Assad. Assad and his family fled to Russia following his ouster, according to Russian officials. Setback for accountability The Court of Cassation's ruling on Friday has drawn criticism from human rights advocates who had hoped the court would set a precedent by lifting immunity in the face of grave international crimes. 'This ruling represents a setback for the global fight against impunity for the most serious crimes under international law,' said Mazen Darwish, head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression, which is a civil party in the case. Still, the court did uphold indictments in related cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows French courts to prosecute serious international crimes committed abroad. In particular, the court backed legal action against former Syrian central bank governor Adib Mayaleh, accused of funding the Assad regime during the conflict. Mayaleh, a naturalised French citizen, is charged with complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Darwish welcomed this element of the ruling as a 'great victory,' stating it reinforces that no foreign official can hide behind immunity in cases of international crimes. France's top court annuls arrest warrant against Syria's Assad Broader legal efforts The French inquiry into the 2013 attack is based on testimonies from survivors, defectors, and extensive photographic and video evidence. Arrest warrants have previously been issued for Assad, his brother Maher – commander of an elite military unit – and two generals. In January, French magistrates issued a separate arrest warrant against Assad over a 2017 bombing in Deraa that killed a French-Syrian civilian. Syria's civil war, triggered by a brutal crackdown on anti-Assad protests in 2011, has left over half a million people dead and displaced millions. Assad's fall marked the end of his family's five-decade rule.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
French prosecutors seek new al-Assad arrest warrant
French prosecutors said Monday they have requested a new arrest warrant against Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad over a deadly 2013 chemical attacks after a previous one was cancelled. It is now up to investigating magistrates to decide whether to issue the new warrant. French investigators have since 2021 been looking into a suspected Syrian government sarin gas attack that killed more than 1,000 people, according to US intelligence, on August 4-5, 2013, in the areas of Adra and Douma outside Damascus. The Court of Cassation, France's highest court, on Friday ruled there were no exceptions to presidential immunity, even for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, annulling a French warrant against al-Assad issued in 2023 when he was still leader. It however added that, as al-Assad, who was toppled in December, was no longer president, new warrants could be issued and the French investigation could continue. The National Anti-Terror Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) said they on Friday requested 'the issuing and international dissemination of an arrest warrant against Bashar al-Assad for alleged complicity in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes' in the chemical attack case. Al-Assad and his family fled to Russia, according to Russian authorities, after anti-government forces seized power on December 8. Another French warrant is already out for al-Assad's arrest, issued in January for suspected complicity in war crimes for a bombing in the Syrian city of Deraa in 2017 that killed a French-Syrian civilian.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Six in hospital after McDonald's 'chemical assault'
An investigation has been launched after a chemical substance was sprayed at staff in a fast-food restaurant. Ambulances and police were called to the McDonald's on Highbridge Retail Park in Waltham Abbey, Essex at about 17:30 BST on Tuesday. Six people were taken to hospital but Essex Police said that "no-one was seriously injured". Ch Insp Terry Fisher said: "We are exploring all options, including whether this was an attempted robbery." Police said four suspects entered the restaurant just after 17.30 and squirted a substance at a number of people before they fled the scene. The victims thought the liquid was water, but their eyes and skin started stinging and they called emergency services. An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said "three ambulances, three hazardous area response team vehicles, a paramedic car and a rapid response vehicle were sent to Highbridge Street after reports of restaurant staff being assaulted with a chemical substance". He added that the three patients were taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and three to the North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton, north London. Ch Insp Fisher said: "We want to reassure you that we are carrying out a thorough investigation so we can establish what happened and the circumstances which led up to it. "Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Essex." The suspects are described as white males. Essex Police has urged anyone with more information to come forward and help with inquiries. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- News.com.au
Young woman injured in horror chemical attack
A young woman has been injured in an unprovoked alleged chemical attack on a road in Sydney's north. Emergency services were called to the intersection of Norfolk Rd and Callistemon Close, at North Epping about 6pm on Wednesday after a 27-year-old woman was approached and allegedly attacked by another woman. 'The woman allegedly splashed an unknown liquid from inside a cup she was holding at the 27-year-old woman, which landed on her face, clothing and headphones,' NSW Police said. The 27-year old contacted police before going to Ryde Hospital where she was treated for a chemical burn. Police established a crime scene and patrolled the area. The woman was unable to be found. Police would like to speak to a woman who may be able to assist with inquiries. The woman is described as being of Asian appearance, was wearing a light-coloured cap, a N95 white face mask, black jumper and dark long pants. She was holding a silver, metal cup in her hand.
