Syrian ex-colonel accused of crimes against humanity deemed 'unfit to plead'

Image source, Julia Quenzler Image caption, A sketch of Al-Salem wearing an oxygen mask, and accompanied by a translator, at an earlier hearing in March via video link By Neil Henderson Published 32 minutes ago A former Syrian Air Force intelligence colonel accused of shooting protesters has been deemed "unfit to plead" and "unfit to stand trial" for crimes against humanity charges. Salem Michel Al-Salem, 58, is charged with three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture and one charge of conduct ancillary to murder. The charges relate to alleged events in Damascus in 2011 and 2012. Justice Cheema-Grubb deemed Al-Salem "unfit to stand trial" at London's Old Bailey following the "unified" opinion of four medical experts considering his motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis. Al-Salem, who is on conditional bail, appeared in court via video with an oxygen mask on his face. Defence counsel Patrick Gibb KC told the court that the defendant was suffering from the advanced effects of MND, was paralysed and cannot communicate. Prosecutor Tom Little KC said the Crown accepted the decision. He cited a consultant neuropsychologist, saying: "His opinion is that the motor neurone disease is now advanced in addition there is associated depression, apathy and cognitive impairment as well as severely restricted speech. "The defendant is monosyllabic and only really understandable to close family." Al-Salem is also paralysed in all four limbs, the court heard. Cheema-Grubb ordered that not guilty pleas be entered for the defendant so the trial of the facts could be held next year. In April and July 2011, Salem was allegedly involved in the deaths of Omar Al-Homsi, Nizar Fayoumi-AlKhatib, Mohammed Salim Zahrak Balik and Talhat Dalal. The allegations state he was "part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population" and is accused of "conduct ancillary" to the murder of Balik. Salem also faces claims of torture against three people "in the performance or purported performance of his official duties" on dates between August 2011 and March 2012. At the time, Salem was serving as a colonel in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence (SAFI) and leading a group of militants that attempted to end demonstrations in the village of Jobar, near Damascus, a court has previously heard. Salem was arrested in December 2021 and released on bail until the charges were announced on Monday. He was served with a written notice of the allegations after a four-year investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing's (CTP) war crimes unit. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it is the first time charges of murder as crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 have been brought. It is thought to be the first time someone alleged to have been part of ex-President Bashar al-Assad's security forces has been prosecuted in the UK for crimes relating to the Syrian civil war. A trial on whether Salem did the acts he is accused