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France 24
France 24
World
NEWS WIRES

Syrian president's uncle to stand trial in Switzerland for crimes against humanity

This file photograph taken in 1986 shows then Syrian President Hafez al-Assad (R) with youngest brother Rifaat (L) attending a reception in London. © AFP

Rifaat al-Assad, an uncle of the Syrian president, will stand trial in Switzerland for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity that decades ago earned him the nickname "The Butcher of Hama".

The office of Switzerland's Attorney General (OAG) said it was charging the former Syrian vice president and former Syrian army officer with a long list of crimes committed in February 1982, during a notorious clash between the Syrian military and Islamist opposition in the town of Hama in western Syria.

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