Pending cases at the Court of First Instance
The following cases are pending at the Court of First Instance in The Hague.
Investigation Lech:
A 37-year old man was arrested in January 2023 on the suspicion of participating in the terrorist organization IS. The man allegedly held a leadership role within the IS security service. He is suspected of participating in a terrorist organization and participating in a criminal organization with the aim of committing international crimes. The investigation by the examining magistrate is underway. The next preliminary hearing will take place on July 15, 2026.
Investigation Forney:
A 55-year old man was arrested in October 2021 on the suspicion of war crimes committed during the Interior War in Suriname. The investigation into the facts is still ongoing.
Investigation Shildon:
The Shildon investigation focuses on a 55-year old man, who has allegedly served as the head of the interrogation department of the National Defence Force, a Syrian pro-regime militia, in 2013 and 2014. In that capacity, he has allegedly committed torture, sexual violence and rape as crimes against humanity. The substantive hearings have taken place over several days in April and May, with the verdict following on June 15, 2026.
Investigation Ardech:
A 67-year old man was arrested in October 2023 on the suspicion of committing genocide against the Tutsi population in April 1994 in Mugina, Rwanda. The substantive hearings will take place on June 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 25 and 29, 2026.
Investigation Desoto:
In February 2024, a 64-year old man was arrested on the suspicion of involvement in an attack and looting spree in Gatobotobo, Rwanda, during the genocide against the Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994. The investigation into the facts is still ongoing. The last preliminary hearing took place on April 24, 2026.
Investigation Lincoln:
In 2024, a woman was arrested on the suspicion of deploying her then 14-year old son as a child soldier in the IS armed forces, abandoning a person in need of care, participating in a terrorist organization (IS), taking preparatory acts for a crime with a terrorist intent, and abducting children from their father’s custody. The substantive hearing of the case have taken place on March 27 and May 22, 2026. The verdict follows on June 5, 2026.
Pending cases in appeal at The Hague Court of Appeal
Chico
The appeal in the Chico case will take place on 3 and 5 June, 2026. In 2024, the District Court of the Hague- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl acquitted Xaviera S. of the war crime of looting and convicted her of participation in the terrorist organization IS, preparing crimes with a terrorist intent, and threatening two journalists with a terrorist crime. S. was sentenced to a prison term of 860 days, of which 720 days were suspended with a probationary period of five years, and a community service order of 480 hours.
Pending cases before the Supreme Court
Banning
On 25 March 2026, the Court of Appeal in the Hague- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl sentenced a Dutch woman from Hengelo to a prison term of 9 years for slavery as a crime against humanity against a Yazidi woman in Syria, participation in IS, preparing/promoting terrorist offenses, and leaving her son in a helpless state by staying with him in a war zone. The Hague Court of Appeal ruled that there was partial limitation regarding the prosecution under Article 255 of the Dutch Criminal Code. The victim’s claim for compensation of non-pecuniary damage was assessed and awarded under Syrian law, with the amount being €15,000.00. In the sentencing decision, the Court took the woman’s diminished responsibility and the circumstances during her stay in Kurdish detention camps into account. The District Court of the Hague- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl had previously sentenced the woman to a prison term of 10 years. The defense has lodged an appeal in cassation.
Vescher
On 27 August 2025, The Hague Court of Appeal- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl found Mustafa A. guilty of co-perpetrating the crime against humanity of unlawful deprivation of liberty. The Court also found the defendant guilty of complicity in co-perpetrating torture, co-perpetrating the crime against humanity of torture and participating in the criminal organization Liwa al Quds, which has as its objective the commission of international crimes. The District Court earlier sentenced him to a prison term of 12 years, and before The Hague Court of Appeal imposed a sentence of 13 years. The Court ruled that the sentence imposed in first instance did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the criminal offenses. The claim of the injured party, which was assessed under Syrian law, was granted on appeal. The defense lodged an appeal in cassation.
English translations of prior cases adjudicated by the District Court of the Hague by country
Afghanistan
Abdulrazaq R. – war crimes
On June 23, 2024, The Court of Appeal of The Hague acquitted Abdulrazaq R. of war crimes because the nexus requirement was not legally and convincingly proven. The Hague District Court previously sentenced R. to 12 years in prison for war crimes committed between 1983 and 1987 at the Pul-e-Charki prison in Afghanistan. The Public Prosecution Service has lodged an appeal in cassation, but due to the passing of the defendant the appeal in cassation will not proceed. The Public Prosecution Service has published a memorandum regarding the nexus requirement for the purpose of the appeal in cassation.
The District Court of The Hague: ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2022:4976- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Hesamuddin A. - war crimes and torture
H. was a high-ranking Afghan army general during the communist regime, serving as head of the military intelligence service and state secretary of the Ministry of State Security. He sought asylum in the Netherlands in 1992, but his application was rejected under Article 1F of the Refugee Convention due to suspected involvement in torture and war crimes. He was convicted of torture and the war crime of torture by the Court of Appeal in The Hague and sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment. This verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in 2008.
The District Court: ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2005:AV1163- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Court of Appeals: ECLI:NL:GHSGR:2007:AZ9365- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Supreme Court: ECLI:NL:HR:2008:BG1477- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Habibullah J. – war crimes and torture
J. served as the head of the interrogation department of the military intelligence service KhaD-e-Nezami under H.'s command from 1979 to 1989. In 1996, he sought asylum in the Netherlands, but his application was declined based on Article 1F of the Refugee Convention due to alleged involvement in war crimes. The Court of Appeal in The Hague found J. guilty of the war crime of torture and sentenced him to nine years' imprisonment. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld this judgment in 2008.
The District Court: ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2005:AV1489- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Court of Appeals: ECLI:NL:GHSGR:2007:AZ9366- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Supreme Court: ECLI:NL:HR:2008:BG1477- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Abdullah F. – torture
F. held the position of director of Department 2 within the Military Affairs Division of KhaD-e-Nezami. Subsequently, he was appointed as the governor of Kunduz province. Seeking asylum in the Netherlands in 1994, his application was denied under Article 1F of the Refugee Convention due to strong suspicions of his involvement in prisoner torture and permitting his subordinates to do so. In 2006, F. was arrested, yet he was acquitted of the charges related to prisoner torture and responsibility for subordinates' actions. This acquittal was upheld by the Court of Appeal in The Hague and confirmed by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in 2011. Unfortunately, there is no English translation available of the judgment by the Supreme Court.
The District Court: ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2007:BA9575- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Court of Appeals: ECLI:NL:GHSGR:2009:BK8758- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Senad A. – extradition for war crimes
On March 13, 2007, the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested the extradition of Senad A. from the Netherlands for prosecution in Bosnia and Herzegovina for war crimes. A. was suspected by Bosnian authorities of having killed a prisoner of war while serving as a member of the so-called 'People's Defense of the Autonomous Province' during the 1993 war. On April 22, 2010, the District Court of The Hague declared A.'s extradition permissible. A. was subsequently sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment in Bosnia.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Sébastien N. – torture
Sébastien N., once commander of the Garde Civile under Mobutu's regime, sought asylum in the Netherlands in 1998, but this was denied under Article 1F of the Convention on the Status of Refugees due to suspicions of his involvement in torture. Following receipt of the 1F file, a criminal inquiry began. Arrested on September 26, 2003, N. was found guilty on April 7, 2004, by the Rotterdam District Court for his role in torture during 1996, resulting in a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
Ethiopia
Eshetu A.- war crimes
On December 15, 2017, the District Court of The Hague sentenced Eshetu A. to life imprisonment. The court found A. guilty of violating international humanitarian law, including arbitrary deprivation of liberty, cruel and inhuman treatment of hundreds of individuals, and torture and killing of 75 persons. These crimes took place during the period of 'Red Terror' in Ethiopia in 1978 and the subsequent years. A. committed these crimes in his capacity as a representative of the Derg regime during the civil war that occurred between the military regime of the Derg and various opposition groups. This conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The District Court: ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2017:16383- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Court of Appeal: ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2022:1674- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Liberia
Guus K. - war crimes and violation of the UN arms embargo
Guus K. was suspected of involvement in international arms trade and participation in war crimes committed by Liberian forces or militias during the civil war in Liberia. In the first instance, K. was convicted for violating the UN-imposed sanctions legislation but acquitted of involvement in war crimes. On appeal, K. was acquitted of all charges by the Court of Appeals in The Hague. The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals' verdict and referred the case to the Court of Appeals in 's-Hertogenbosch. The Court of Appeals in 's-Hertogenbosch found K. guilty of complicity in war crimes committed by the forces of Charles Taylor, as well as of violating the UN arms embargo. K. was sentenced to 19 years in prison.
Judgment of the District Court: ECLI:NL:RBSGR:2006:AY5160- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
The Hague Court of Appeals: ECLI:NL:GHSGR:2008:BC7373- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
's Hertogenbosch Court of Appeals: ECLI:NL:GHSHE:2017:2650- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Supreme Court: ECLI:NL:HR:2018:2349- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Rwanda
Pierre Klaver K. – extradition for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity
Extradition request of the authorities of Rwanda for extradition of a wanted person for the purpose of prosecution for the involvement in the genocide in Rwanda. The District Court of The Hague declared the extradition inadmissible due to the risk of a flagrant denial of justice. The Public Prosecutor's Office filed an appeal in cassation against the verdict. On June 6, 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal, stating that the District Court's judgment was not based on an incorrect legal interpretation and was adequately reasoned. Unfortunately, there is no English translation available of the judgment by the Supreme Court.
Sri Lanka
Thiruna E., Joseph M.J., Srirangan R., Ramachandran S., and Lingaratnam T. - participation in a criminal organization with a terrorist intent, war crimes, and crimes against humanity
In this case, the accused were sentenced by the District Court of The Hague to prison terms of 5 and 6 years for participating in a criminal organization with a terrorist intent (LTTE - the organization of the Tamil Tigers). The LTTE's intent was also directed towards committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, among other objectives. On appeal, one of the accused was sentenced to a prison term of 4 years and 11 months. During the cassation procedure, the issue arose as to whether the accused, as members of the LTTE, could claim the status of 'combatant'. In such a case, they would have had the right to participate in the armed conflict against the state of Sri Lanka in the struggle for an independent Tamil state. The Supreme Court considered that the accused could not claim this combatant status as it is only granted to armed forces participating in an international armed conflict. The conflict in which the accused were involved in this case was classified as a non-international armed conflict. Unfortunately, there is no English translation available of the judgment by the Supreme Court.
Syria
Oussama A. - participation in a terrorist organization and war crimes
On July 23, 2019, Oussama A. was sentenced in first instance to a prison term of 7 years and six months for participating in the terrorist organization Islamic State, preparing acts of terrorism, and committing the war crime of violating personal dignity. On appeal, the Court of Appeal in The Hague sentenced A. to a prison term of 6.5 years.
ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2019:10647- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Mustafa A. – illegal arrest and torture
On January 22, 2024 Mustafa A. was sentenced to 12 yeas in prison by the Dutch District Court of The Hague. A. was found guilty of complicity in illegal arrest as a crime against humanity of victim 1, as well as complicity in the subsequent torture and torture (as a crime against humanity). In addition, A. was convicted of participation in the Liwa al-Quds criminal organization, which aims to commit war crimes (looting and physical assault) and crimes against humanity (arbitrary deprivation of liberty). The verdict has been appealed. The pre-trial hearing will take place on August 15, 2024.
ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2024:5142- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Hasna A. – enslavement, participation in a terrorist organization and endangering a minor
On December 11th, 2024, the District Court of The Hague sentenced Hasna A. to 10 years imprisonment. The court found A. guilty of enslavement, as a crime against humanity, of a Yazidi woman in Syria in 2015. In addition, she was convicted of participation in a terrorist organization (IS), enabling the commission of terrorist crimes and endangering a minor, her son.
ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2024:22990- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Yousra L. – participation in a terrorist organization and war crimes
On September 11 2014, The Hague of Appeal delivered its judgement in the case Humble. The Court convicted Yousra L. for participation in a terrorist organization (IS), co-perpetrating training in the commission of terrorist offenses, incitement to commit a terrorist offense, and distributing and posting videos that are official publications of IS for the purpose of incitement. The latter was charged as co-perpetrating the war crime of assault on personal dignity, for which an acquittal followed. The Hague Court of Appeal sentenced Yousra L. to a prison term of 48 months, ordered maximum detention at the disposal of the court with compulsory treatment and imposes a measure aimed at influencing behavior or restricting liberty as referred to in Article 38z of the Dutch Criminal Code. Unlike The Hague Court of Appeal, the District Court of The Hague previously convicted Yousra L. of assault on personal dignity as a war crime.
The District Court of The Hague: ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2021:10538- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Ahmad al K. – war crimes and participation in a terrorist organization
On February 18, 2025, the Supreme Court rejected the appeal in cassation in the case Blackwell. The suspect, born in Syria and residing there at the time, intervened in the fight against the national army under Assad in 2012 as a member of the Ghuraba’a Mohassan militant group. As the leader of that group, he participated in the execution of a prisoner of war and carrying out a bomb attack. The Hague Court of Appeal sentenced him to a prison term of 23 years and six months. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the conviction for co-perpetrating war crimes and participating as a leader in a terrorist organization is final.
The District Court of The Hague: ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2021:10538- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
The Hague Court of Appeal: ECLI:NL:GHDHA:2023:2961- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
Ahmad al Y. – war crimes and participation in a terrorist organization
On April 22, 2025, the Supreme Court quashed the ruling of The Hague Court of Appeal, but only with regard to the decisions concerning the alleged participation in an organization whose objective is the commission of terrorist offenses and the sentencing. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals for the remainder and referred the case back to The Hague Court of Appeal. Earlier, The Hague Court of Appeal sentenced Ahmad A. to a prison term of 5 years and 4 months, as the Court declared proven that A. had participated in an organization namely Ahrar al-Sham with the aim of committing terrorist crimes. Unlike the District Court of The Hague earlier, The Hague Court of Appeal acquitted the accused of Article 6(1)(c) WIM, assault on personal dignity.
The District Court of The Hague: ECLI:NL:RBDHA:2021:3998- U verlaat Rechtspraak.nl
For the full list of adjudicated cases see: Zaken internationale misdrijven (in Dutch)