Syria detains former official Musa Abu Rukbu after Austrian conviction

Syrian security forces in Daraa province have detained Musa Abu Rukbu, a former police lieutenant colonel, after he reportedly entered Syria illegally. Abu Rukbu had previously fled Austria following a July conviction in Vienna.

A Viennese court sentenced Abu Rukbu and former general Khalid Halabi to eight years in prison for crimes committed in Raqqa between 2011 and 2023. The court characterized their actions as part of “systematic state-organized torture.” Abu Rukbu was found guilty of causing serious bodily harm, aggravated coercion, and sexual coercion. The court also ordered the payment of 130,000 euros in compensation to victims.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Abu Rukbu served in the criminal and political security departments under the Assad regime. Following his detention, he is expected to face trial in Syria to receive what authorities describe as a “just punishment.”