Osama Krayem has long hair and a beard, dressed in a blue shirt, black trousers, and sneakers. Sunk into his chair, flanked by his lawyer Petra Eklund and two prison guards, he listens as the prosecutors read out their statement, which is expected to take up the first two days in Stockholm District Court.
The 32-year-old is charged with gross war crimes and terrorist offenses – both for participating in the execution of a defenseless prisoner of war and for committing the crime with terrorist intent.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, most of the seats behind the glass in the security room are empty. The press corps consists of almost as many journalists from French media as from Swedish.
The Execution Film
The crime in question is the IS-execution of the Jordanian fighter pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, who crashed his F16 plane in Syria on Christmas Eve 2014. He was executed by being burned to death in an IS stronghold in Raqqa.
The execution was filmed, and the film later gained widespread circulation in IS propaganda. During the trial, prosecutors Henrik Olin and Reena Devgun show the 22-minute film and go through the sequence of events in detail. However, since the material is confidential, the viewing takes place behind closed doors.
The film is an important part of the evidence – partly because it allegedly shows a masked Osama Krayem participating in the execution, and partly because the production and distribution of the film were part of IS terrorism.
Identified by IS Member
Supported by foreign intelligence and Krayem's Facebook activity, the prosecutors claim that the Swede had a leading role in Liwa al-Sadiq, one of the caliphate's elite units. The unit is said to have been responsible for the executions of hostages, including the murder of the fighter pilot.
According to the indictment, Krayem was there, uniformed and armed, and he allegedly guarded and led the victim to the cage where the execution took place.
The prosecutors hope to link Krayem to the deed, among other things, through testimony from another life-sentenced former IS member who pointed out the Swede in an American interrogation. Initially, it was Belgian police who identified the Swede through a scar on his eyebrow, visible in a close-up. In a chat, Krayem has also bragged about featuring in the film where they "grill a man". A forensic analysis of the film shows that Krayem was likely present throughout the entire process.
Krayem admits to having been on the spot but denies participating in the crime.
The trial is expected to continue until June 26
Islamist and IS terrorist. Born and raised in Rosengård in Malmö.
Should have radicalized in a basement mosque and, according to Säpo, as a 22-year-old in the fall of 2014, together with other Swedes, to join IS. Should have been handpicked to IS elite force Liwa al-Sadiq.
Standing trial in Stockholm District Court for gross war crimes and terrorist offenses for participating in the burning to death of a Jordanian fighter pilot in a cage in Syria around the turn of the year 2014-15.
Been identified by Belgian police as one of the persons on a video from the execution through a scar on his eyebrow. Should also have been recognized by a witness.
Serving a 30-year prison sentence for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. Also sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 2016 bombings in Brussels.
Was extradited to Sweden in March and will be returned to France when the Swedish legal process is completed.
