Fact Check: The trial against Alaa M. began in January 2022 and lasted almost three and a half years.

Fact Check: "The trial against Alaa M. began in January 2022 and lasted almost three and a half years."

What We Know

The trial of Alaa M., a Syrian doctor accused of crimes against humanity, began on January 19, 2022, at the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt, Germany. This trial is notable as it is the first of its kind globally to address the involvement of medical professionals in state-sponsored torture in Syria (source-3). As of now, the trial is still ongoing, with reports indicating that it has extended into 2024, specifically with trial monitoring reports detailing sessions as recent as March 2024 (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that the trial lasted "almost three and a half years" is misleading. While it is true that the trial began in January 2022 and has continued into 2024, it has not yet reached the three and a half year mark. As of March 2024, the trial has been in progress for approximately two years and two months. The ongoing nature of the trial suggests that it may extend beyond this timeframe, but it is not accurate to assert that it has already lasted three and a half years (source-4).

Furthermore, the reliability of the sources reporting on this trial is high. The Syrian Justice and Accountability Center (SJAC) has been actively monitoring the trial and providing detailed reports, which adds credibility to the timeline and details of the proceedings (source-3).

Conclusion

The claim that "the trial against Alaa M. began in January 2022 and lasted almost three and a half years" is False. The trial is ongoing and has not yet reached the duration claimed. As of now, it has lasted approximately two years and two months, with no definitive end date established.

Sources

1. The Trial of Alaa M.
2. Inside the Alaa M. Trial #71: The Joker
3. Germany tries Syrian doctor for torture
4. Germany hands Syrian doctor life for torturing Assad critics
5. German court sentences Syrian doctor to life in prison for ...
6. Proceedings against military doctor Alaa M: Torture in Syria
7. Joint Statement: Syrian doctor Alaa M. sentenced to life ...
8. German court sentences Syrian doctor to life in jail for ...