Facts
Amer Tarak A. allegedly founded the association Liwa Jund al Rahman (Brigade of Soldiers of Mercy) in the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor in February 2013 and acted as its leader from then on. Liwa Jund al-Rahman was an armed rebel group 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, the association has repeatedly taken part in combat operations against the Syrian army.
In June 2013, the Liwa Jund al-Rahman armed group reportedly led by Amer Tarak A. 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 Tarak 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. During the ISIS capture of the city of Al-Mayadin and the military action against the Al-Shu’aytat tribe in the Deir ez-Zor region at the end of July 2014, the suspect allegedly led the fighters of his former association.
Procedure
On 6 September 2023, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, acting on warrant issued by the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice on 22 August 2023, arrested Amer Tarak A. in Kiel. In addition, the premises of the defendant were searched.
On the same day, the defendant was brought before the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice, who ordered his pre-trial detention.
On 20 March 2024, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against Amer Tarak A. He is accused of membership in the foreign terrorist organizations Liwa Jund al-Rahman and ISIS. He is also accused of committing war crimes in the form of expulsion (forced displacement), looting and destruction.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to combine Amer Tarak A.’s proceedings with Basel O.’s proceedings, accused of membership in the foreign terrorist organizations Liwa Jund al-Rahman and ISIS, and Sohail 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 Amer Tarak A. of war crimes and leading a terrorist organization abroad. The Court sentenced him to 9 years and 10 months in prison.