- Accused IS Militants Undergoing Trial in Munich Courtroom
Criminal hearings commences on September 16 at Munich's Higher Regional Court, with three Syrian individuals faced with charges of affiliation to foreign extremist groups, including the notorious Islamic State terror group. The court has planned 29 trial days, with a judgment not projected until mid-December, under stringent security measures. The presiding judge of the State Protection Senate at the Higher Regional Court issued a 14-page security ordinance, outlining searches of trial participants and spectators.
Shias annihilated and expelled
One of the accused is the rumored head and leader of the extremist group "Liwa Jund al-Rahman" (Brigade of the Soldiers of the Merciful), a faction aiming to oust the Syrian government. Under his leadership and collaborating with another detainee, a June 2013 attack on a Shia village in Syria reportedly resulted in the demise of 60 inhabitants and forced displacement of the remaining populace. There were reports of looting and damages, signifying war crimes.
Personal gain through oil exploitation
The alleged leader is also implicated in the misuse of profits derived from seized and looted oil resources, which he not only used to remunerate his fighters but also for his own personal luxuries and family expenses. Later, he reportedly joined the Islamic State terror group and integrated his own terrorist group under its command. The second accused is claimed to have held commanding authority within the group. The third is alleged to have handled public relations, such as producing propagandist videos. Two of the accused were apprehended in Kiel and Munich last year, while the third was detained in Dortmund in April this year. All have been incarcerated.
The trial for the three individuals, including the accused leader of Liwa Jund al-Rahman, will take place at the The Court of First Instance, due to the nature of their charges. If found guilty, the leader's actions, such as the use of seized oil profits for personal gain and involvement in war crimes, could lead to severe penalties.
