Verdict expected in Germany’s landmark Syria torture trial

Court ruling will be the first in the world related to the brutal repression of protesters by the Syrian government.

A German court will hand down a historic verdict on Wednesday in the first court case worldwide over state-sponsored torture by the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Almost 10 years since the Arab Spring reached Syria on March 15, 2011, the judgement will be the first in the world related to the brutal repression of protesters by the government in Damascus. Eyad al-Gharib, 44, stands accused of being an accomplice to crimes against humanity as a low-ranking member of the intelligence service.