Facts
Sohail A. allegedly joined Liwa Jund al-Rahman by June 2013 at the latest. Liwa Jund al-Rahman was an armed rebel group, reportedly led by Amer Tarak A., with the goal of toppling the Syrian regime by force. It initially declared its allegiance to the Free Syrian Army, but then pursued an Islamist agenda. Since 2013, Liwa Jund al-Rahman has repeatedly taken part in combat operations against the Syrian army.
In June 2013, the Liwa Jund al-Rahman together with Jabhat al-Nusra and other jihadist groups raided the village of Hatlah near Deir ez-Zor. The operation, described as a “purge”, targeted the Shiite population living there. Up to 60 Shiite residents were killed, and the remaining individuals were compelled to flee to other areas of Syria or abroad. Pillaging and looting were also committed. The outcome of this operation was the eradication of Shiite presence in Hatlah.
In July 2014, Amer A. is said to have joined ISIS and placed the Liwa Jund al-Rahman armed group, including all fighters, equipment and finances, under ISIS command.
Sohail A. was responsible for Liwa Jund al-Rahman’s public relations work and headed its media department. In particular, he allegedly produced propaganda videos to glorify the Liwa Jund al Rahman, including the incident in Hatlah. After ISIS took control of the area around Deir ez-Zor at the beginning of July 2014 and the Liwa Jund al Rahman joined the organization, Sohail A. also joined ISIS. He also performed media-related tasks for ISIS.
Procedure
Sohail A. was arrested on 10 April 2024 and placed in custody in Dortmund.
On 7 June 2024, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against Sohail A.. He is accused of membership in the foreign terrorist organizations “Liwa Jund al-Rahman” and ISIS, and of committing war crimes in the form of expulsion, looting and destruction.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to combine Sohail A.’s proceedings with Basel O.’s proceedings, accused of membership in the foreign terrorist organizations Liwa Jund al-Rahman and ISIS, and Amer Tarak A.‘s proceedings. The trial of the three suspects began on 16 September 2024 before the Higher Regional Court of Munich.
On 11 November 2025, the Higher Regional Court of Munich convicted Sohail A. of war crimes and membership in a foreign terrorist organization. The Court sentenced him to 7 years in prison.