How will ISIS mercenaries be tried
The decision to “try foreign ISIS mercenaries” raised several questions, including: “According to which laws will they be tried? What penalties will be taken against them? And who can intervene?”
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria announced, in a statement, on the tenth of June, that it will start trying foreign ISIS mercenaries held in prisons in North and East Syria.
As soon as this statement was issued, the issue occupied public opinion and became one of the main media and social agendas. The Arab press also touched on the statement and shed light on the issue. Developments and discussions indicate that it will resonate on the international scene as well, especially since thousands of mercenaries from 60 countries around the world, and lists of these mercenaries and their crimes are being prepared now.
How will the process go?
Following the statement, preparations for the trial began, but there are some issues or topics that have not yet been disclosed or clarified. Sources in the Autonomous Administration indicated that the trials will begin soon, but the date has not yet been announced to the public, and the location or locations of the trial have not yet been determined. According to the officials, the preparations for this case are continuing without any problems, and it is expected that, within the next few days, a statement will be issued about the place and date of the trials.
It will be open to parents and the public
In light of the preparation for these trials, the Social Justice Council and the People’s Defense Court hold joint meetings and discussions. According to the sources, these meetings discuss the methods and details of the trials.
The same sources stated that the trial of the mercenaries will take place under the umbrella of the Social Justice Council in the People’s Defense Court.
It is said that the trial process will be open to the people and the public, and the media can cover it. While other details have not yet been revealed, such as “What media outlets are allowed to cover? Can anyone attend the sessions or not? How will the families of martyrs or victims of mercenary attacks participate in the trials and in what capacity?” However, according to information, families of martyrs and victims can participate in trials as plaintiffs (as complainants), and families of martyrs can participate in these trials either through the Martyrs’ Families Council or in person.
It is not yet clear whether delegations or observers from outside the region will be accepted or not, but Autonomous Administration sources say that they want through these trials to show their justice to the world.
Lawyers will defend the right of families
The Bar Association will play an important role in these trials. According to some sources, lawyers will be assigned to each family according to practical requirements, without any fees (money). The families of the martyrs outside the region will also be able to participate in the trials through lawyers.
The trial will be conducted in accordance with domestic and international laws
The statements of the Autonomous Administration and the statements of its former officials indicated that the mercenaries will be tried in accordance with the laws of the Autonomous Administration and international laws, namely the anti-terrorism laws.
While the details related to this matter were not revealed, but according to legal sources, the mercenaries will be tried and sentenced in light of the crimes they committed. And in the event that the mercenary who appears before the court is not proven to have committed any crimes (murder, looting, torture, or any immoral behavior, etc.), he is tried only on charges of “member of the mercenary organization.” In the event that, in addition to membership, there are other crimes such as (murder, supervising killing, assistance, torture, kidnapping, etc.), they will be decided separately, and the penalties depend on this matter. Moreover, the laws of the Autonomous Administration do not include the death penalty, so prison sentences range from reduced sentences to life imprisonment. Mercenaries will be tried in accordance with these provisions.
Among the topics that also raised controversy, and is expected to raise more controversy during the trials, is the question: “What will be the fate of the mercenaries whose sentences have expired, and where will they be sent? Will their countries accept them or not?” Discussions and evaluations on this topic continue.
The laws will be explained to the mercenaries
An important aspect of the trial is also the right of mercenaries and their defense. According to the jurists, no lawyer in the region will defend the mercenaries, but within the framework of the law and according to the court’s decision, the Lawyers’ Union will explain the mercenary laws and rights. It is not yet clear whether lawyers from outside the Autonomous Administration can come to defend the mercenaries. However, according to the information, if any lawyer wants to attend, he must obtain permission from the Autonomous Administration and act in accordance with the laws of the area.
Source » hawarnews
