Ex-member of Syrian military intelligence charged in Britain over 2011 protests

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - A ‌former member ​of ​Syria's Air Force Intelligence has been charged in Britain with crimes against humanity in suppressing ‌pro-democracy demonstrations in Damascus in 2011 at the start ⁠of what became the Syrian civil war.

The 58-year-old man, who now ‌lives in Britain, has ‌been charged with seven offences under a British law that allows the prosecution of serious international crimes committed ​abroad, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Monday.

The charges include three counts of murder as a crime against ⁠humanity, three counts of torture and one offence of conduct ancillary to murder.

The ​suspect, who was first detained in 2021, is accused of leading a group ordered to suppress ​protests in the Jobar district, ‌east of central Damascus.

The CPS said it was the first time it had brought charges ⁠of murder as crimes against humanity. In 2005, Afghan warlord Faryadi Zardad was convicted by a British court of torture that ⁠had taken place in Afghanistan.

"The charges are extremely serious and show ​that we fully support the UK's 'no safe haven' policy in relation to alleged war criminals," said Helen Flanagan, a commander who leads ‌London's counter-terrorism police.

The Metropolitan Police said its complex investigation had been carried out together with ‌international partners.

The man is due to appear at Westminster ⁠Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. ‌His name was not ​disclosed as his lawyers intended to seek a reporting restriction.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Kevin ‌Liffey)

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