German authorities have arrested two Syrians on suspicion of belonging to a radical group, with one of them suspected of involvement in an attack that occurred in 2013 in eastern Syria, which claimed the lives of over 60 people. The German Federal Prosecutor's Office stated in a statement on Thursday that the suspects, identified only as "Amer A." and "Basil A." in accordance with German privacy regulations, were apprehended on Wednesday. Both are accused of belonging to a foreign terrorist organization called "Liwa Jund al-Rahman," which prosecutors claim was formed by Amer in February 2013 and led by him.
The charges relate to war crimes committed during an attack in June 2013 in the village of Hatlah in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 60 individuals. Prosecutors reported that the attack was carried out jointly by "Liwa Jund al-Rahman," under Amer's leadership, and other extremist groups. They noted that survivors of the attack were forced to flee to other places in Syria or abroad due to intentional terror and fear of death, as well as through arson and looting.
Amer also faces charges of war crimes related to forced displacement and membership in ISIS. Prosecutors pointed out that Amer joined ISIS in July 2014 and placed his group under its control. As for the second suspect, "Basil A.," the prosecution clarified that he held a "prominent military position" in his group by late 2013 and led units of the organization in battles against Syrian forces in December 2013 and in April 2014, particularly at the Deir ez-Zor military airport. A judge ordered on Wednesday to hold the suspects pending a possible indictment.
