France's top court annuls arrest warrant against Syria's Assad

Assad Cleared of War Crime Charges: French Court Cites Immunity Despite Ouster

Paris, France: France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, has overturned an arrest warrant issued against former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in connection with deadly 2013 chemical attacks.

The ruling stated that presidential immunity remains absolute even when accusations involve alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, presiding judge Christophe Soulard clarified that as Assad is no longer president following his removal by an Islamist-led group in December, "new arrest warrants can have been, or can be, issued against him." This suggests the investigation into the case could proceed.

New Legal Groundwork?

The court's decision raises questions about the legal framework surrounding former heads of state accused of international crimes. While Assad's immunity shielded him from French prosecution while in office, his current status outside government power presents a potentially new avenue for pursuing justice.