VIENNA: Five Austrian ex-officials went on trial on Friday accused of providing asylum to an alleged Syrian war criminal in Austria at the demand of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. The 5 are accused of abusing their power by bringing Khaled Halabi, a Syrian ex-general, to Austria in 2015 and placing asylum for him. Reports said that 4 persons are former intelligence personnel and one is an ex-official of an asylum agency.
Former Officials of Austria Tried for Helping Mossad Sponsored Syrian
Khaled Halabi led Syria’s Intelligence Directorate in Raqqa between 2009 and 2013. When rebel elements captured Raqqa in 2013, he (Halabi) fled to France and applied for asylum.
Global human rights groups had documented torture in Syrian under the government of President Bashar Assad, and accuse Khaled Halabi bears responsibility for the torture.
Austrian officials have also started criminal proceedings against the ex-general of Syria but have not indicted him. Halabi’s attorney, Timo Gerersdorfer, told the media that his client is cooperating with the authorities in Austria and said that Halabi is not guilty.
Timo Gerersdorfer said that Halabi fled Syria with the assistance of the Free Syrian Army. If Halabi had agreed with the Syrian government, he would have stayed in the country.
According to media reports, Mossad had recruited Halabi, as an informant in Syria. However, the prime minister’s office of Israel declined to comment on the matter.
