"We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people," Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, said in a statement on Telegram yesterday.
He added that Syria's new authorities would seek the return of Assad regime officials who have fled abroad.
However, legal experts who have been compiling evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria cautioned that the country was a long way from having a legal system capable of conducting the trials. The regime was the worst abuser by far, and was detaining more than 135,000 people - including nearly 4,000 children - at the time of its fall. But there were other perpetrators too, including Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which is thought responsible for the detention or forcible disappearance of 2,514 Syrians, including 46 children.
"In the euphoria and the thrill of the moment, we should not lose sight [of these problems]," said Alan Haji, who is working on war crimes cases in The Hague for the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC), a Syrian-led human rights organisation. "In the Syrian penal code, there is no such thing as a war crime or crimes against humanity or genocide, and there's no prescribed punishment for such crimes."
If a path to justice has been opened up by the regime collapse, it is likely to be long and strewn with obstacles.
The Assad family have fled to Russia, but the intelligence agency officers who were the levers and cogs of the Syrian torture and killing machine have mostly been left to fend for themselves. Many are expected to try to use human smuggling networks to reach Europe, and efforts are under way to track them.
The abrupt implosion of the infrastructure of state terror has made available a huge volume of evidence.
This story is from the December 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Saudi storm FA warned to avoid protest unless boycotting World Cup
The Football Association board has been warned by voices in internal discussions to avoid protesting at today's meeting that will confirm Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 men's World Cup, unless it is willing to boycott the tournament.
ECB ready to extend KP's controversial Hundred deal
Exclusive
Villa ride luck after Barkley's winner sinks spirited Leipzig
After Jhon Durán scored, another ludicrously powerful strike within seven minutes of entering the field, he celebrated by showing the Aston Villa supporters the palms of his hands, as if to say, calm down, what else did you possibly expect?
Celtic close in on playoff spot despite misfiring in Zagreb draw
Received wisdom before kick-off at Stadion Maksimir was that this was the ideal time to face Dinamo Zagreb.
Salah keeps cool from the spot to crown Alisson's happy return
Liverpool's perfect Champions League continued and a new record was completed with a sixth win and a fifth clean sheet.
Eclectic Monaco model thriving with a little help in Bruges
Arsenal's opponents tonight have a policy of buy young, sell high, that works for them and their Belgian sister club
Arteta turns to Tierney amid spate of injuries
Kieran Tierney is set to feature for Arsenal for the first time in more than 16 months after Mikel Arteta revealed he expected to be without several key defenders for tonight's Champions League meeting with Monaco.
Guardiola rules out managing another club after City
Pep Guardiola has ruled himself out of managing another club after Manchester City due to a waning of his energy levels, stating an international coaching position would be of interest to him as his next role.
Saudi Arabia's journey from 90s novelty to World Cup power grab
As Cristiano Ronaldo and Newcastle can attest, the 2034 hosts-elect are now at heart of football politics
Harris to leave Millwall after 'mutual decision'
Neil Harris will step down as Millwall manager for a second time after Saturday's Championship game at Middlesbrough.