Suspects In Syrian Crimes Against Humanity Trial Will Face Accusers In German Court

An unprecedented trial begins in Germany on Thursday. A former high-ranking Syrian intelligence officer, charged with crimes against humanity, will face Syrian torture survivors in a courtroom in the western German city of Koblenz.

Anwar Raslan, 57, is accused of overseeing the torture of more than 4,000 prisoners, at least 58 deaths, as well as rape and sexual assault. Prosecutors allege these crimes were committed at Al-Khatib prison in Syria's capital of Damascus in 2011 and 2012, after the uprising began against Syrian President Bashar Assad.