German court sentences Syrian ex-colonel to life for crimes against humanity

A former officer in the Syrian secret police has been convicted in Germany of crimes against humanity.

Anwar Raslan had applied for asylum in Germany as a refugee, but was recognised and arrested.

Today, he was found guilty of overseeing the abuse of detainees in a jail near Damascus, becoming the highest-ranking Syrian official to be convicted of such charges.

Campaigners have described the case as “historic”.