The arrest warrant accuses al-Assad of the chemical attacks in the country in 2013 where over 1,400 people were killed.
Since al-Assad was still president in 2023 when the order was issued, he has presidential immunity that prevents him from being tried for crimes. This immunity gives the French court no exception, even if he is suspected of serious war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Thus, the current arrest warrant is lifted, but since al-Assad is no longer president in Syria, he can be subject to new arrest warrants in the future, according to the court.
In addition to al-Assad, the arrest warrant was also issued against his brother Maher al-Assad and two Syrian generals. Against them, the arrest warrant remains in effect.
