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Through a Suspicious Witness.. Regime Intelligence Attempts to Save Doctor Accused of Crimes Against Humanity
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The German judiciary's method in dismantling suspicious narratives highlights the difficulty of penetrating European justice despite Syrian intelligence agencies' attempts

Syrian intelligence fingerprints were clearly visible during the trial of Dr. Alaa (M) at the Frankfurt Regional Court, through a suspicious witness who raised judges' doubts about his background and testimony contradictions.
Alaa (M), a Syrian doctor who worked in Syrian military hospitals, is currently being tried before the German Frankfurt court on charges of crimes against humanity. Witness testimonies indicate that the accused had special authorization to enter the detainees' section, a privilege not available to civilian doctors.
One witness, a surgeon, confirmed that the accused had ties to the Syrian regime and frequently visited the restricted area in the military hospital accompanied by military doctors. The trial of Dr. Alaa has sparked widespread surprise as he was a doctor who was supposed to alleviate patients' pain, not participate in their torture, which has contributed to prolonging the trial.
The Syrian regime attempted to influence trial proceedings by sending suspicious witnesses to defend the accused, indicating the importance of his position and role in the repression system. The trial relies on multiple pieces of evidence and testimonies, including those featured in an Al Jazeera documentary, where the first witness confirmed the authenticity of what was shown about the accused due to his relationship with the regime.
According to observers, judges were surprised how the second witness transformed from a household appliance repairman to a supervisor of a VIP escort team at Damascus International Airport, a sensitive position typically associated with security agencies.
The witness's contradictions revealed an intelligence pattern in the answers, as he struggled to remember his exact age while recalling precise details about his meetings with the accused, leading the court president to question the authenticity of his identity and personal information.
Attempts at deception became apparent when the witness denied knowing about the accused's presence in the church before a traffic accident, then later confirming it when the defense attorney repeated the question, prompting the judge to point out his changing answers to benefit the accused.
The court president directly confronted the witness with suspicions of working for regime intelligence, noting that his coming to Germany might be linked to an intelligence mission, especially with his claim that his repeated meetings with the accused were merely for "fun and entertainment."
The suspicious agent's testimony coincided with that of another Syrian doctor who appeared confused and contradictory in his statements about the accused's relationship with the detainees' section in the military hospital, forcing the court to suspend his interrogation.
These obvious attempts to influence the course of justice reveal the Syrian regime's concern about the trial's implications, which could open the door to broader judicial pursuits of those involved in crimes against humanity.
The German judiciary continues to unravel the case's threads despite attempts at obscuration and misdirection, insisting on uncovering the truth about systematic torture crimes committed in Syrian military hospitals.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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