Salem Al-Salem is a former colonel in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence (AFI) who appeared in UK courts in March 2026 charged with crimes against humanity â including murder and torture â relating to the violent suppression of civilian demonstrations in Damascus in 2011. His case is the first UK prosecution for murder as a crime against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001, making it a landmark moment in British legal history.
Who is Salem Al-Salem?
Salem Al-Salem, 58, is a Syrian national who had been living in Buckinghamshire, England. He formerly served as a colonel in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence department (AFI), which was one of the principal intelligence and security branches of the Syrian state under President Bashar al-Assad. The AFI was a feared organisation known for its involvement in the violent crackdown on the Syrian uprising that began in 2011.
Al-Salem’s presence in the United Kingdom came to the attention of investigators following the fall of the Assad government in Syria in late 2024, which led to the release of previously unavailable evidence and testimony about the conduct of Syrian security forces during the early years of the civil war. The Counter Terrorism Policing War Crimes Unit investigated his case before referring it to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Charges Against Him
Salem Al-Salem has been charged with seven criminal offences under UK law. The charges include three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one count of conduct ancillary to murder. All of the charges relate to events allegedly carried out in 2011 during the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in and around Damascus.
The charges have been brought under the International Criminal Court Act 2001, which incorporated international humanitarian law into English and Welsh domestic legislation. This Act allows UK courts to try individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, regardless of the nationality of the alleged perpetrator or victim, where the offence occurred abroad.
The Alleged Crimes in Syria
The charges relate to events in April 2011, when large-scale protests against the Syrian government were taking place across the country as part of the broader Arab Spring movement. In the Damascus suburb of Jobar, demonstrations broke out against the Assad government, and Syrian security forces were deployed to suppress them.
It is alleged that Al-Salem, in his capacity as a colonel in the AFI, led a unit tasked with quelling the protests in Jobar and the surrounding areas. Prosecutors allege that this unit carried out unlawful killings of civilians and subjected detainees to torture during these operations. The prosecution alleges these acts constituted part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Syria, which is the legal threshold required for crimes against humanity under international law.
The Crown Prosecution Service has emphasised that these are serious allegations that are contested in court, and that Al-Salem is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Court Proceedings in the UK
Al-Salem was charged by the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Policing War Crimes Unit and appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. The hearing at the magistrates’ court was a preliminary proceeding in which the charges were formally put to him. He next appeared at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) on Friday, 13 March 2026, for a further preliminary hearing.
Given the complexity and gravity of the charges, the case is expected to follow the standard process for serious criminal matters in England and Wales, involving pre-trial preparation hearings at the Crown Court before any trial date is set. Cases of this magnitude routinely take a considerable period to proceed to trial, given the volume and nature of evidence involved. Understanding the full process â from charge to sentencing â in UK serious crime cases is explained in our guide to prison sentence guidelines.
Bail and Current Status
District Judge Paul Goldspring granted Al-Salem conditional bail at the magistrates’ court hearing, ruling that he was not a flight risk due to his health condition. His bail conditions are strict: he must observe a 24-hour curfew, make himself available for police checks at any time, and is prohibited from contacting any individuals named as potential witnesses in the case.
As of March 2026, Al-Salem is therefore living in the community under these conditions rather than in custody. However, he faces charges that carry the potential for a significant custodial sentence if convicted. Crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 carry a maximum sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment, or life imprisonment if the court determines it appropriate. Murder as a crime against humanity carries a mandatory life sentence in England and Wales, consistent with the standard sentencing for murder. For more on how serious offences are sentenced, see our article on types of prison sentences in the UK.
Legal Significance
The prosecution of Salem Al-Salem is historically significant for the United Kingdom’s legal system. Prior to this case, no individual had ever been charged in a UK court with murder as a crime against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001. The Act has been used previously for war crimes and torture, but the inclusion of murder as a crime against humanity in this indictment is without precedent in British legal history.
Human rights organisations and international law experts have welcomed the prosecution as a demonstration that the UK is willing to use its domestic legal powers to hold individuals accountable for serious international crimes, regardless of where those crimes were committed. The case will be closely watched by legal practitioners, governments, an] human rights advocates around the world. It also follows a broader international trend of states seeking to prosecute former Syrian regime officials for alleged crimes committed during the conflict.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Unit, which is part of Counter Terrorism Policing and is responsible for investigating the most serious international crimes alleged to have been committed by individuals present in the United Kingdom. For more information on the UK criminal justice system and how the Parole Board works, visit our dedicated guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Salem Al-Salem?
Salem Al-Salem is a 58-year-old former colonel in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence department who was living in Buckinghamshire, England. He has been charged with crimes against humanity, including murder and torture, in connection with the alleged suppression of civilian demonstrations in Damascus, Syria, in 2011. He appeared before UK courts in March 2026.
What crimes is Salem Al-Salem charged with?
Salem Al-Salem has been charged with seven offences: three counts of murder as a crime against humanity, three counts of torture, and one count of conduct ancillary to murder. The charges relate to events in the Damascus suburb of Jobar in April 2011, when Syrian security forces are alleged to have violently suppressed civilian demonstrations. The charges are brought under the International Criminal Court Act 2001.
Is Salem Al-Salem in prison?
No. As of March 2026, Salem Al-Salem has been granted conditional bail by District Judge Paul Goldspring following his initial court appearances. His bail conditions include a 24-hour curfew, availability for police checks, and no contact with potential witnesses. He is living in the community while the case proceeds through the court system. He has not been convicted of any offence.
What is the significance of the UK prosecution of Salem Al-Salem?
The case is the first time the Crown Prosecution Service has brought charges of murder as a crime against humanity under the International Criminal Court Act 2001. This makes it a landmark case in British legal history. It demonstrates that UK courts can hold individuals accountable for international crimes committed abroad and marks an important step in the use of domestic law to pursue international justice.
What sentence could Salem Al-Salem receive if convicted?
If convicted of murder as a crime against humanity, Salem Al-Salem would face a mandatory life sentence in England and Wales, as is standard for all murder convictions. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 also provides for sentences of up to 30 years for crimes against humanity more generally, with the court having discretion to impose a life sentence in the most serious cases. No sentence has been imposed, as the case is at an early pre-trial stage.
