German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser are warning all supporters of the deposed Syrian ruling family al-Assad against going into hiding in Germany.
“Anyone among Assad’s torturers thinking of fleeing to Germany, I can only say clearly: We will hold all the regime’s henchmen accountable with the full force of the law for their terrible crimes,” the Green party politician told the Sunday tabloid Bild am Sonntag. She stressed that international security agencies and intelligence services now need to work in close cooperation.
After the overthrow of the much-hated Assad regime, a rebel alliance led by Islamists has taken power, while al-Assad fled to Russia with his family. Under his rule, tens of thousands were unlawfully detained, oppressed, tortured and killed.
Faeser noted there are security checks at all borders.
“We are extremely vigilant. If henchmen of Assad’s terror regime try to flee to Germany, they must know that hardly any country pursues their crimes as harshly as Germany. That should deter them from making the attempt,” she told the newspaper.
Unions: Syrian labour force needed
Meanwhile in the ongoing debate about whether the roughly 1 million Syrians who sought refuge in Germany should go home, Verdi union chief Frank Werneke has argued against sending needed workers back.
“Be it in care, in hospitals, in post and parcel services, in mail order or many other professions. In many places, people who fled from Syria help keep this country running.”
The IG Metall union chairwoman Christiane Benner also told the newspaper: “We need skilled and labour forces from abroad.”
