(AFP) A French court on Wednesday jailed a former Syrian Islamist rebel spokesman to 10 years for his role in atrocities committed in Syria’s civil war in the country’s first universal justice case.
Majdi Nema, a former spokesman of the rebel group Jaish al-Islam, was found guilty by a Paris court of complicity in war crimes, specifically of conscription of minors aged 15 to 18, and helping to prepare war crimes.
“We are relieved,” [said] Marc Bailly, a rights lawyer for Syrian civil groups.
“Today justice was served first and foremost for Syrians,” he said.
Romain Ruiz, one of the defence lawyers, called the verdict “relatively incomprehensible,” adding that [the] defence was mulling whether to appeal.
