Fritz Streiff - Podcast Details

Shows

Branch 251Syrische Staatsfolter vor GerichtIm Frühjahr 2023 veröffentlichten die Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (BpB) und das Europäische Zentrum für Verfassungs- und Menschenrechte (ECCHR) gemeinsam eine dreisprachige Anthologie mit dem Titel “Syrische Staatsfolter vor Gericht”, die den Al-Khatib-Prozess in Koblenz verarbeitet und reflektiert. Die Anthologie stellt den Gesamtkomplex der Staatsfolter in Syrien und ihre Auswirkungen in einen historischen, sozialen und rechtlichen Kontext.Unser „Branch 251“-Team nahm an der Auftaktveranstaltung teil, traf einige der Gäste, darunter auch einige der Autor*innen und feierte mit dem Publikum die Veröffentlichung der dreisprachigen Anthologie.In dieser Sonderfolge reflektieren wir das Buch ei...2024-08-1231 min

The Just Security PodcastA Syrian War Crimes Verdict in a Dutch CourtLate one evening in January 2013, a group of men carrying Kalashnikov rifles approached another man. Their faces were hidden behind balaclavas and they smelled of alcohol. It was the height of the Syrian civil war, and the group of men were supporters of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. They arrested the man and handed him over to Syrian Air Force intelligence officials who detained and tortured him. A Dutch court recently convicted one of those masked men involved in the arrest, known in court papers as Mustafa A., of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The...2024-02-1629 min

The Syria TrialsS2E11: A conversation with Abdallah and Steve KostasIn this, the final episode of the season, Fritz catches up with two of the key legal investigators in the Halabi case - Abdallah and Steve Kostas, who have both been an integral part of this season. We find out where the Halabi case currently stands and what we can expect to happen if the case goes to trial.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. It was mixed by Tobias Withers. Support for our...2023-12-1818 min

asymmetrical haircutsEpisode 89 – The Syria / Europe Connection with Hope Rikkelman and Fritz StreiffNew developments across Europe with investigations resulting in court cases about atrocities committed during Syria’s civil war.2023-12-1138 min

feature interviews – asymmetrical haircutsEpisode 89 – The Syria / Europe Connection with Hope Rikkelman and Fritz StreiffNew developments across Europe with investigations resulting in court cases about atrocities committed during Syria’s civil war.2023-12-1138 min

The Syria TrialsS2E10: Better Late than NeverKhaled al-Halabi might not be behind bars or on trial - but there have been huge developments in the justice for Syria space. Fritz heads back to the city where it all started, Raqqa, which has suffered hugely also since Halabi escaped. He finds out about the cases concerning the huge crimes the city and its citizens have suffered. He also looks at other current legal investigations and trials, from the financing of terrorism to medical torture, as well as some very promising arrest warrants... The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by...2023-12-1134 min

The Syria TrialsS2E9: The Wheels of JusticeThe wheels of justice can turn incredibly slowly. And when a case like Halabi's is slapped with so many setbacks, it can be difficult not to lose hope and faith in the justice process. But even as the Halabi case stalled, other trials were starting in Europe - including one against the Austrian intelligence officials who allegedly smuggled him into the country, paid his rent, and got him asylum... The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. It...2023-12-0433 min

The Syria TrialsS2E8: Austrian QuagmiresThe case against Khaled al-Halabi wasn't progressing in Austria. The dossier was bursting with documentary evidence - but a strong case also needs vital witness testimony. As the investigators work to add this, France finally realise that a senior Syrian intelligence officer slipped through their fingers. By the time they let the Austrian authorities know, will Halabi still be in Austria? The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. It was mixed by Tobias Withers.Support...2023-12-0124 min

The Syria TrialsS2E7: Operation White MilkBrigadier General Khaled al-Halabi had made it to Austria - thanks to the help, we thought, of the Austrian intelligence, called the BVT at the time. But as it turns out, there may have been another intelligence service helping the former Syrian intelligence officer escape France and set up a life in Austria... The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. It was mixed by Tobias Withers.Support for our podcast comes from German Federal Foreign...2023-11-2034 min

The Syria TrialsS2E6: Investigators AssembleAs Halabi waited in France to see if his asylum application had been accepted, a nest of legal investigators was stirring. Syrian and Western lawyers and investigators were coming together to see how they could begin to address the atrocity crimes being committed in Syria. But when they caught up with Halabi, he was no longer in France. The Disappearing General had once again disappeared... where had he gone? The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. It...2023-11-1325 min

The Syria TrialsS2E5: Destination EuropeBrigadier General Khaled al-Halabi managed to escape Syria and make it to Turkey in the Spring of 2013. But where did he go next? Fritz traces Halabi’s journey from Turkey to Europe - a journey that seems to have been relatively smooth compared to hundreds of thousands of other Syrians’, displaced by the war in Syria. Fritz speaks to some of those who were forced to flee, like Kenan Khadaj and Diana Khayyata, about their journeys to Europe. And as Halabi enters Europe, he is unaware that a nest of legal investigators is stirring, ready to address the crimes agai...2023-11-0632 min

The Syria TrialsS2E4: Escape from RaqqaIt's March 2013 and Raqqa is celebrating. Opposition forces have taken over the city and the Syrian regime is no longer in control. That means no more intelligence forces, no more security branches, and no more Head of State Security Khaled al-Halabi. As the citizens of Raqqa look towards a new future, where has Halabi escaped to?The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with research and editorial support from Mais Katt. The voiceovers were provided by Cyril Nehmé, Muhammad Bakri, Amr Hussien and Alaa Ehsan. I...2023-10-3031 min

The Syria TrialsS2E1: Who is Halabi?On June 13th 2015, a diplomatic car made its way from France, through Germany and entered its final destination - Austria. The group in the car included members of the Austrian intelligence services - a man referred to only as White Milk. White Milk was, in fact, the cover name for a senior Syrian intelligence officer - who had worked within an intelligence system known for its violence and brutality.So why was White Milk, real name Khaled al-Halabi, effectively being smuggled between European countries?Join host Fritz Streiff for the first episode of Season 2 of T...2023-10-2327 min

The Syria TrialsS2E2: Just a Cup of CoffeeWe’re in Syria. It’s the year 2000, and Bashar al-Assad has inherited the dictatorship from his father. Syrians who have been hoping that this new President means a freer, more liberal Syria are about to be sorely disappointed. It seems the intelligence services are still what really run Syria - and this is where Khaled al-Halabi is about to be posted. Fritz finds out about the centrality of the intelligence services in Syria, and how Halabi ascended the ranks. He speaks to people who met him, and uncovers more about the kind of person Halabi is....2023-10-2327 min

The Syria TrialsS2E3: Inside Branch 335Spring 2011. Following the wave of peaceful protests that has swept across the Middle East and North Africa, revolution has now come to Syria. The activists tell us what it was like to finally be able to shout out loud for their rights. Fritz hears about these joyful days - and how the regime quickly reacted with violence. General al-Halabi was the Head of General Intelligence Branch 335 when the uprising began. How did his branch respond to the growing protests?The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha...2023-10-2336 min

iReMMOL’exercice de la compétence universelle, un bilan contrasté ? [COLLOQUE]24 février 2023 - Rencontre avec Bruno Cotte, magistrat, président honoraire de la chambre criminelle de la Cour de cassation, Aurélia Devos, 1re vice-présidente adjointe, présidente 5e chambre correctionnelle, tribunal judiciaire de Lille, Fritz Streiff, avocat, auteur des podcasts « Branch 251 » et « The Syria Trials ». Modération : Marine Pradel, journaliste indépendante. Retrouvez la vidéo : ⁠https://youtu.be/N6IWQIZ_EmI Suivez nos évènements sur les réseaux sociaux YouTube : @iremmo ⁠Facebook⁠ : @institutiremmo ⁠Twitter⁠ : @IiReMMO ⁠Instagram⁠ : @institutiremmo ⁠LinkedIn⁠ : @Institut iReMMO Soutenez notre chaîne ⁠Lilo⁠: @iremmo, ⁠HelloAsso⁠: @iremmo 2023-02-241h 30

The Syria TrialsS1E11: JusticeIn this, the 11th and final episode of The Syria Trials, Fritz is joined once more by Kristina Kaghdo, presenter of the Arabic Series of our podcast, to discuss where we are now on the road to justice for Syria. What does the future hold? And what does justice really mean to Syrians, on a individual level?With the voices of:Rime Allaf.A Syrian woman living in Syria.A Syrian man living in Syria.Ismail Alabdullah.A Syrian man living in Turkey.Leila Sibai.2022-12-0930 min

The Syria TrialsS1E10: InnovationsBringing justice for Syria requires creativity. And whilst there has been enormous frustration at the lack of an international legal solution to the regime crimes committed in Syria, there has also been enormous innovation. Novel ways of working, new NGOs and much more. Episode 10 is about these innovations in the justice and accountability space. The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with editorial support from Mais Katt. The stringer in Syria was Muhammad Daboul. It was mixed by Tobias Withers.Support for our p...2022-12-0233 min

Branch 251NEW podcast - The Syria TrialsIf you've enjoyed listening to Branch 251, you're in luck! 75 Podcasts has a new podcast. It's called The Syria Trials. Here is Fritz Streiff to tell you all about it.Support for our podcast comes from German Federal Foreign Office funds that are provided by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen IFA’s Zivik Funding Programme.To find out more about our podcast, visit our website https://75podcasts.org/. Here you'll find an archive of all our episodes with their transcripts, as well as our other productions.2022-11-3001 min

The Syria TrialsS1E9: To Bear WitnessWitnesses are the lifeblood of criminal trials. But legal proceedings can be extremely difficult for witnesses. The retelling of experiences, which more often than not were traumatic, can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, and the possibility of becoming retraumatised is forever looming. In this episode, we hear from a witness who gave her testimony at the Koblenz trial, and from the legal practitioners who put careful consideration for witnesses at the heart of the case building work that they do.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff. It was...2022-11-2529 min

The Syria TrialsS1E8: GhostsThere are many men who carry out the Assad regime’s bidding - from soldiers in the army to the intelligence officers of the mukhabarat. But there's also another group, who do much of the regime’s dirty work, but who are only unofficially tied to the Assads. These men are known as the shabiha - which translates roughly from the Arabic to mean “ghosts”. But who exactly are these ghosts? Where did they come from and what crimes are they responsible for?The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff. It was p...2022-11-1825 min

The Syria TrialsS1E7: FamilyThe suffering inflicted by the Assad regime reaches beyond the detainees held inside their intelligence branches and prisons. In withholding information about their fate, families are left in limbo - with no knowledge if their loved ones are dead or alive. This episode is about those families.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with editorial support from Mais Katt. Translation was by Alaa Hassan. This episode was mixed by Tobias Withers.Support for our podcast comes from German Federal Foreign Office funds...2022-11-1135 min

The Syria TrialsS1E6: The Regime TodayWhat position is the Syrian regime really in today? How does it really function? And how, after 11 years of war, and with sanctions placed on the country, is the regime making money? We look at the attempts to stop the normalisation of the Assad regime, and the cases that attempt to hold it accountable for more recent crimes.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff. It was produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with editorial support from Mais Katt. The voice over was provided by Maksim Abdul Latif. Translation was by Alaa...2022-11-0427 min

The Syria TrialsS1E5: The House of AssadThe violence that Syrians have witnessed and suffered since 2011 did not come out of nowhere - there is a history, a background and a basis to it. And so, if we want to better understand what has happened in the country in the past 11 years, we need to travel further back in time - to the beginnings of Assad family rule in Syria. In this episode, we’re uncovering how the pillars of the Assad regime were constructed. The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff with Kristina Kaghdo. It was pro...2022-10-2842 min

The Syria TrialsS1E4: Crossing the Red LineIn the early hours of the 21st August 2013, the Syrian regime crossed perhaps the biggest red line in the course of the war in Syria - and dropped chemical weapons on Al-Ghouta, in the suburbs of Damascus. We look at that night, and the efforts of activists, documenters and lawyers to hold the perpetrators accountable.Please take care when listening.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fritz Streiff, and produced by Sasha Edye-Lindner, with editorial support from Mais Katt. Translation was by Remi Alanini and the voiceover artist was...2022-10-2130 min

The Syria TrialsS1E3: The Doctors Who ResistedWhile many doctors and medical staff sided with the Syrian regime after the protests began in Syria in 2011, there were, of course, many doctors, nurses and medical students who sided with the protestors calling for freedom and democracy. Field medical teams to help injured protestors, and later field medical hospitals and checkpoints to care for those wounded in the escalating war, were set up - only to become targets of the regime’s increasingly more violent tactics. We hear from physician Houssam al-Nahhas, who worked in hospitals in rebel-held East Aleppo, and from lawyer Steve Kostas and barrister Toby Ca...2022-10-1428 min

The Syria TrialsS1E2: No Longer a Place to HealThe trial of Alaa M is one of the only cases in the Syrian justice and accountability space to currently be ongoing in a criminal court. Alaa M is a Syrian medical doctor, who was arrested in Germany on suspicion of complicity in crimes against humanity. Fritz Streiff delves into the key topic this trial has highlighted - the Syrian regime’s use of doctors, their medical knowledge, and the medical sector more widely, to oppress, torture, and eliminate anyone who dared to oppose them.The Syria Trials is a 75 Podcast production. This episode is hosted by Fr...2022-10-0728 min

The Syria TrialsS1E1: The Toothless TigerFritz Streiff is joined by Kristina Kaghdo, presenter of the Arabic series of ‘The Syria Trials’, to explore where we currently stand on the long road to justice for Syria. What has happened in the justice and accountability space, in the 11 years since the regime violently suppressed the peaceful revolution? Through the stories of Syrians and their experiences of justice, Fritz and Kristina journey around the scattered landscape of justice and accountability, to build up a picture of what legal efforts for Syria are being made and what justice for Syria and Syrians really means. They explore the l...2022-09-3032 min

F.A.Z. Einspruch#193: Syrische Staatsfolter vor deutschen GerichtenDer wöchentliche Podcast für Recht, Justiz und Politik Die Themen der Sendung: 03:06: Schwerpunkt zur syrischen Staatsfolter: Interview mit Fritz Streiff 35:20: Der BGH zu den Gewerbemieten 45:40: Der Bundesjustizminister will §219a StGB streichen 01:07:26: Genesen nur noch für drei Monate & Updates 01:25:40: Das gerechte Urteil Feedback zum Podcast bitte unter: einspruchpodcast@faz.de https://www.faz.net/podcasts/f-a-z-einspruch-podcast/ Einspruch Probe-Abo: https://faz.net/einspruchtesten Zur Abstimmung über die Reform des Jurastudiums: https://www.iurreform.de/abstimmung Artikel zum BGH in Sachen Gewerbemieten https://www.faz.net/a...2022-01-191h 32

Branch 251The Walls Have EyesIn this episode, we’ll be talking about how power, security and fear interrelate and co-produce militarized cityscapes, or security cities. In particular, we will talk about Syria, the kingdom of silence, where walls have ears, and buildings have eyes, and everyone looks around them before talking. Cities where everyone is being watched and considered as a threat to be eliminated if they tried to speak up and reclaim their rights against those in power. This episode was written by Naya Skaf, with editorial help from Fritz Streiff and Saleem Salameh. For more information and re...2021-09-1723 min

Het DakterrasHet Dakterras Lunchinterview #13: Fritz StreiffIn dit lunchinterview spreken we met Fritz Streiff, mensenrechtenadvocaat, juridisch adviseur bij het Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression and maker van de podcast Branch 251 over de allereerste rechtszaak ooit tegen een voormalig handlanger van het Assad-regime. Hij vertelt over deze bijzondere rechtszaak in het Duitse Koblenz, over hoe de zaak tot stand is gekomen en welke symbolische waarde deze rechtszaak heeft, als middel tegen de tragiek van straffeloosheid. Hij benadrukt het belang van politieke wil om tot zo'n rechtszaak te komen, zeker omdat het gemakkelijker is om een voormalige IS-strijder te berechten dan een voormalige Assad-aanhanger...2021-08-2340 min

Human Rights Pulse - The Passion Factor (Pursuing a Career in Human Rights)“Don’t let yourself be held back” - A conversation with Fritz Streiff, an atrocity crimes and human rights lawyerFritz Streiff is an atrocity crimes and human rights lawyer with 8 years’ experience in international criminal law, human rights law and anticorruption. Fritz qualified as a lawyer in the Netherlands and his experience extends to corporate law, international NGOs and international organizations. Fritz is currently working for clients in the areas of atrocity crimes committed in Syria and separately anti corruption investigations with links to the Netherlands and climate litigation. We discuss making the switch between corporate and public interest careers, advanced studies, the importance of languages, Fritz’s typical work day and the joy of sports!2021-04-2947 min

Branch 251Are YOU our new colleague?Fritz' twitter: @fritz_streiffPauline's twitter: @paulinepeekBranch 251 twitter: @Branch_251Branch 251 is looking for a Syrian co-hostBranch 251 is a bi-weekly podcast, covering the world’s first criminal trial dealing with atrocity crimes committed by Syrian officials: the Al-Khatib Trial in Koblenz, Germany. It features portraits of the main protagonists, commentary, analysis, and testimony from the courtroom as well as essential background information to explain the context of the trial. Branch 251 is especially committed to amplifying the voices of victims and their families looking for justice, and to contributing to essential ou...2020-10-0201 min

Branch 251Man's Inhumanity to Man"There's a reason it's called crimes against humanity": In this season finale, we discuss a testimony that stands out: witness Z 30/07/19, a grave digger for the Assad regime with a first-hand account of the massive scale of the crimes against humanity that the regime is accused of. Special testimonies like these make you suddenly realize what this whole trial is all about.For regular updates, you can follow us on Twitter @Branch_251, @fritz_streiff and @paulinepeekSupport the show by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/branch251 or by hitting the donate button on...2020-09-1817 min

Branch 251A Favor For A FriendFritz and court reporter Hannah dissect the special testimony of leading Syrian opposition figure Riad Seif, the man who vouched for Anwar R. to get asylum in Germany. The country that is now prosecuting him for crimes against humanity. Also, two survivors of Branch 251 who are civil parties in the case testified, Wassim Mukdad and Hussein Ghrer. How did their testimonies go? And what can we say more generally about how our expectations from the beginning of the trial compare to our observations so far?For regular updates, you can follow us on Twitter @Branch_251, @fritz_streiff...2020-09-0420 min

Branch 251A Long Trip, Long RoadKoblenz is a small step on the long road to what, exactly?In this episode, Fritz talks to Syrian lawyer and human rights defender Mazen Darwish about justice for Syria and Syrians, its forms and challenges, and what the trial in Koblenz means to him.For regular updates, you can follow us on Twitter @Branch_251, @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @PaulinepeekAdditional information on the topics discussed in the episode:Mazen Darwish on twitter: @mazenadarwish3His organization SCM: https://twitter.com/SyrianCenter; https://scm.bz/en/SCM's press...2020-08-2130 min

Branch 251Recording KoblenzThe Koblenz court recently rejected two motions regarding translation and audio recording of the trial. While the court argues these decisions protect witness testimonies and the road to justice, NGOs and legal scholars worry that denying translation and recording could diminish the impact of the trial.You can follow us on Twitter @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @paulinepeekAdditional information on the topics discussed in the episode:Mohammad al Abdallah on Twitter: @mohammad_syriaMore on SJAC's work: https://syriaaccountability.org/what-we-do/Prof. Dr. Stefanie Bock on Twitter: @Stefanie_Bock_Article about the recent court decision...2020-08-0722 min

Branch 251The Photo Album of the Syrian People‘Caesar’ is the code name of a Syrian military photographer turned defector. He was tasked with taking photos of dead detainees. Tens of thousands of them. He later turned on his bosses and smuggled the photographs out of Syria. Together with journalist Garance Le Caisne and victims lawyer Patrick Kroker, we tell you the story behind the Caesar Photos and their relevance as evidence in the Koblenz trial. And what they mean to so many Syrians personally, including co-host Karam.For regular updates, you can follow us on Twitter: @Branch_251, @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @paulinepeekAddi...2020-07-3130 min

Branch 251Death in DetentionIn this episode, Fritz takes a look back at the first-ever universal jurisdiction trial based on Germany’s Code of Crimes Against International Law, a trial against two Rwandan militia leaders for crimes committed in Congo.Our guests, Der Spiegel's Beate Lakota and Andreas Schueller from ECCHR, followed this trial closely and talk to us about how the main accused died in detention, the lessons learned, and the parallels and differences with the Koblenz trial.For regular updates, you can follow us on Twitter @Branch_251, @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @PaulinepeekAdditional information on th...2020-07-2427 min

Branch 251محاكمة تاريخية: كل ما تحتاج معرفتهبهذه الحلقة الإستثنائية باللغة العربية، يقوم كرم الشوملي بشرح القضية التاريخية ضد كل من إنور ر وإياد أ المتهمين بارتكاب جرائم ضد الإنسانيةتابع عمل فريق البودكاست على تويتر @Paulinepeek , @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali ,@Branch_251@trsleman تابع عمل الصحفي سليمان العبدالله على تويتر@luna_alabdalla تابع تغطية الصحفية لونا وطفة لهذه المحاكمةhttps://thelevantnews.com/?s=لونا+وطفة تغطية المركز السوري للعدالة والمساءلة للمحاكمة https://ar.syriaaccountability.org/updates/إذا كنت أحد ضحايا الفرع 251، بإمكانك التواصل مع: https://www.facebook.com/AdalmazJusticeبإمكانك دعم هذا العمل من خلال تبرع شهري على منصة باتريون https://www.patreon.com/branch251 2020-07-1639 min

Branch 251Duty vs FearThis week's episode is a deep dive into the recent testimonies of key witnesses whose statements might incriminate both defendants. However, the lines between truth and exaggeration, threats and self-preservation were blurred as three men spoke and the court listened.You can follow us on Twitter @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @PaulinepeekBecome a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/branch251Hannah el-Hitami: https://hannahelhitami.com/Follow Hannah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hannahel711Arabic trial update of the last 18 days: https://bit.ly/3iGXSuMECCHR trial updates: https://www.ecchr.eu/en/case/trial-updates-first-trial-worldwide-on-torture-in-syria/Syria Justice And Accountability...2020-07-1016 min

Branch 251Syria Fatigue?After almost 10 (!) years of war, devastation, crimes and gruesome images from Syria, are we still reading? Watching? Listening? Really? We tried to find answers to this complex question. And bring you a court report straight from Koblenz.You can follow us on Twitter @Fritz_Streiff , @KaramShoumali and @PaulinepeekAdditional information on the topics discussed in the episode:Wafa Mustafa: @WafaMustafa9On her work as an activist: https://tinyurl.com/ycacwbsnElizabeth Tsurkov: @ElizraelA selection of her interesting work: https://cgpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CGP-Syrian-Economic-Meltdown-June2020.pdfOn the Brussels IV Conference: tinyurl.com/y9qabovhBrookings Institute on...2020-07-0331 min

Branch 251"He Called Me Ammo"In this episode, Fritz and Karam speak to two survivors of Branch 251. They share with us the painful details of their detention, memories and how this impacts their lives now. And what they would ask the accused if they got the chance.Follow us on Twitter and @KaramShoumali and @Fritz_Streiff.Inside Syria's Secret Torture Prisons: https://nyti.ms/2Bk5h1JIn German: Das Erste's report on Nuran al-Ghamian https://bit.ly/3et2nqlIn French: Lena Bjurström's report on Nuran al-Ghamian https://bit.ly/30Ylrc4In German: Founder of Adopt A Revolution Ferdinand Duerr on d...2020-06-1932 min

Branch 251Syrian Witnesses SpeakLast week in court was special: Syrian survivors spoke as witnesses for the first time. One of them, Feras Fayyad tells us about his experience testifying in court and opening up about being sexually violated at Branch 251. We talk to two experts who tell us more about sexual violence in international cases and how the Syrian regime has used it as a weapon of war against its own people. Also on the episode: Anwar al Bunni's moment in court that he has been waiting for for so long. He testified as an expert witness and had a lot to...2020-06-1228 min

Branch 251Abu AyoubEyad A. is the second defendant in the trial. The smaller fish. The less interesting accused. Or is he? Karam and Fritz go on a journey to find answers to this question.We talked to friends, family, a colleague of his from Branch 251, and a court reporter to find out more. And we discovered some pretty interesting insights and contradictions in the various versions of events.When did Eyad A. really join Branch 251? Did he fight with the rebels before he left Syria? Is justice going after the wrong guy? And how does he come a...2020-06-0530 min

Branch 251Colonel, Defector, DefendantIn this week’s episode, Fritz and Karam speak to Der Spiegel’s Christoph Reuter about Anwar R. Christoph Reuter interviewed him in 2013 over two days and tells us "how he ticks".And in court this week, Eyad A.’s police statement from August 2018 was admitted as evidence while his lawyers tried to dismiss it as inadmissible. Why? Tune in and find out.Subscribe to keep every episode coming to you automatically every week. If you would like to support the podcast, go to our website and click 'Support This Podcast'.You can follow...2020-05-2927 min

Branch 251It Wasn't MeThis week in court, the main accused Anwar R. reacted to the accusations against him with a statement that his lawyers read to the court. His defense in short: there was no torture when I was in charge, later others did it, I tried to help but couldn't do more, and then I fled the country.How did this go down in court and how did the public gallery react to his statement? Listen to Karam and Fritz discuss his lengthy and detailed statement. And get comments from survivors of Branch 251 and their lawyer.Subscribe...2020-05-2217 min

Branch 251The Two AnwarsHow did the Branch 251 trial actually come about? Your hosts Karam and Fritz talked to someone who played an important role in transforming the terrible stories of these crimes into legal cases: Anwar Al Bunni. He has been instrumental in building the case and kick-starting this first criminal trial against Syrian officials. He was also imprisoned himself simply because he was doing his job as a human rights lawyer defending political prisoners in Syria. Eight years ago, he was detained in Branch 251 and was face to face with the main accused Anwar R. who slapped hi...2020-05-1518 min

Branch 251Al Khatib Street or "Hell on Earth"This episode takes you into Branch 251. Or Al Khatib Branch, as it is known among survivors.Your hosts Karam and Fritz talked to them. Based on their accounts, this is how a detainee's journey looks like from arrest and arrival at the Branch, to the cells and interrogation rooms -- or better: torture chambers.A word of warning: better not listen with kids or just before going to bed. This will likely be the most gruesome episode of the entire podcast. But it is reality. It is the 21st century. In Syria. It is Branch 251.2020-05-0727 min

Branch 251A Historic TrialOn this first episode of Branch 251, your hosts Fritz and Karam introduce the listeners to the trial that started in Koblenz, Germany, on 23 April 2020.They revisit the question of why this trial is taking place in Germany, and not at the International Criminal Court, for example. And they introduce the accusations against the two defendants, Anwar R and Eyad A.Tune in, to also hear from someone who was actually imprisoned in Branch 251. And get Fritz and Karam's take on what happened in the courtroom during the first week of trial.Do subscribe...2020-05-0116 min