Syria Detains Assad-Era Officer

Syrian security forces have detained former Lieutenant Colonel Musab Abu Rukba in the southern city of Nawa after he fled Austria, where he had been sentenced to eight years in prison. He returned to Syria in early August.

A Vienna court convicted Abu Rukba in July of serious bodily harm and sexual coercion over abuses committed against detainees opposed to former President Bashar al-Assad. The crimes took place more than a decade ago, when Abu Rukba headed the criminal investigations department in the city of Raqqa. He denied the charges.

Abu Rukba left Austria while the verdict was still subject to appeal and returned to his hometown, where his family reportedly held a celebration. Syrian authorities said he had entered the country illegally and was subsequently tracked down.

It remains unclear what charges he could face in Syria or whether Austria has requested his detention or extradition.

Abu Rukba had lived in Austria since 2014 and applied for asylum there with his family. He was not in custody when the verdict was handed down and, according to the Reuters report, his departure did not violate Austrian law or any court order.

(Reuters, bak)