German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) warn that supporters of the Assad regime should not think of fleeing to Germany to seek asylum. “Those who think of fleeing to Germany from Assad’s torturers, I can only say clearly: We will bring all the regime’s henchmen to justice with the full force of the law for their heinous crimes. It’s especially important for international security agencies and intelligence services to work closely together now” Baerbock told Bild am Sonntag.
Faeser referred to the control of security authorities at all borders. “We are extremely vigilant. If henchmen of the Assad regime try to flee to Germany, they must know that hardly any country pursues their crimes as harshly as Germany. This should deter them from attempting this” the SPD politician said to Bild am Sonntag.
In the world’s first trial for state torture in Syria, the Koblenz Higher Regional Court has handed down life sentences, Faeser added. And in July, four supporters of the Assad regime were arrested in Germany for brutally suppressing peaceful demonstrations. “Nobody is safe from prosecution here who has participated in atrocities” Faeser said.
Baerbock also expressed concerns about the activities of the IS terrorist system in Syria: “Along with the pursuit of Assad’s torturers and the protection of their victims, it is also crucial to ensure internationally that thousands of IS fighters, who are currently being held in Kurdish-administered areas, do not start causing chaos again in Syria, the region, and even here” the Greens politician highlighted.
“International cooperation of security agencies is more important than ever in these days. This is a key focus of my talks on Syria. Syria must not become a playground for foreign powers or an experiment for radical forces” the minister said.