On 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 to keep every episode coming to you automatically every week. If you would like to support the podcast, follow this link or go to our website branch-251.captivate.fm and click 'Support This Podcast'.

You can follow us on Twitter @Fritz_Streiff and @KaramShoumali.

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Some additional sources on this trial here:

• @NPR's @deborahamos on the start of the trial: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/22/839010108/suspects-in-syrian-crimes-against-humanity-trial-will-face-accusers-in-german-co?t=1589105335251 -- also check out her other pieces on the topic, for example: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/25/764116727/why-are-syrian-war-crimes-being-prosecuted-in-germany
• Great podcast episode by @AsymmetricalH on the start of the trial here: https://twitter.com/AsymmetricalH/status/1256088564003213313?s=20
• Interview with @SaretaAshraph on the start of the trial here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/worlds-first-criminal-trial-on-state-torture-in-syria-begins/12179974
• @ECCHRBerlin hearing summaries can be found here: https://ecchr.eu/en/case/trial-monitoring-first-trial-worldwide-on-torture-in-syria/…
• Weekly monitoring reports here: https://syriaaccountability.org/topic/trial-monitoring/updates/…
• @MansourOmari survived the Syrian regime’s torture and is blogging for @AmnestyUK here: https://amnesty.org.uk/blogs/campaigns-blog/syrian-torture-trial-koblenz-germany-part-1…

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