German Prosecution Arrests Suspects Genocide and Terrorist Activities – among the victims are two Ezidi children – 5 and 12 years old

The German Prosecution has taken decisive action against individuals suspected of heinous crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, and membership in a foreign terrorist organization. On April 9, 2024, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with the Federal Criminal Police Office, apprehended two Iraqi nationals, Twana H. S. and Asia R. A., in Regensburg and Roth County, respectively. This move follows the issuance of arrest warrants by the Investigating Judge at the Federal Court of Justice on March 19, 2024.

The allegations

The allegations against Twana H. S. and Asia R. A. are grave and multifaceted. They are accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as well as being members of the foreign terrorist organization ‘Islamic State’ (IS). The arrest warrants outline disturbing details of their activities, spanning from October 2015 to December 2017 in Iraq and Syria.

According to the prosecution, the suspects were married according to Islamic law and were active members of the Islamic State during the stated period. During this time, they reportedly held two Ezidi girls as slaves, one of whom was only five years old when taken captive. The older girl, aged twelve at the time, was also enslaved by the suspects. Twana H. S. allegedly subjected both children to repeated rape, while Asia R. A. facilitated the abuse by preparing the room and applying makeup on one of the girls.

Additionally, the suspects allegedly forced the girls into household chores and childcare, exploiting them economically. They prohibited the girls from practicing their own religion and instead imposed Islamic practices on them. The prosecution further accuses Twana H. S. and Asia R. A. of subjecting the children to physical violence as punishment, including hitting them with objects and scalding them with hot water.

The suspects reportedly handed over the girls to other members of the Islamic State before leaving Syria in November 2017, as part of the organization’s objective to destroy the Ezidi identity.

On April 9 and 10, 2024, Twana H. S. and Asia R. A. were brought before the Investigating Judge at the Federal Court of Justice, where they were formally presented with the arrest warrants and ordered to be placed in pre-trial detention.

One step closer to justice and accountability

This arrest represents a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of these alleged atrocities. It underscores the commitment of the German authorities to hold accountable those who perpetrate acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and terrorism, regardless of borders. Germany has been one of the more leading countries which has initiated the most processes against suspected IS-members.

The legal proceedings that follow will be closely watched and Ezidi Times will repport further on the case and its developments.