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A Turkish journalist in Ankara, on February 24, 2012, holds pictures of two journalists, French photojournalist Remi Ochlik (L) and Sunday Times correspondent Marie Colvin, killed in an alleged rocket attack by Syrian regime forces against a makeshift opposition media center in the besieged city of Homs in Syria on February 22, during a demonstration by journalists denouncing violence against members of the media and the brutality of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)
February 10, 2025 – Syria –
The return of Khaled al-Fares to Syria has ignited widespread outrage and calls for accountability among Syrians and international human rights organizations. Al-Fares, previously a member of the pro-Assad National Defense Forces and a key figure in the regime’s intelligence network, is accused of providing information that led to the 2012 assassination of American journalist Marie Colvin. Colvin was killed in a targeted artillery strike while reporting from Baba Amr in Homs, Syria.
Documents obtained by The Media Line suggest that al-Fares was instrumental in identifying Colvin’s location, leading to the regime’s deliberate targeting of the media center. Following the attack, he was reportedly rewarded by Maher al-Assad, the president’s brother, with a luxury car. Despite these allegations, al-Fares returned to Syria from Dubai and has resumed business activities, including reopening his car dealership along the Hama-Homs road. He now moves freely between Homs and Damascus, prompting protests and demands for his prosecution.
The Syrian Committee for Human Rights has urged the new government to hold al-Fares accountable, highlighting the broader issue of impunity for war crimes in Syria. Activists argue that without justice for individuals like al-Fares, true reconciliation and stability in Syria remain elusive.
Colvin’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the Syrian government in 2016, and in 2019, a U.S. court found the Assad regime responsible for her death, awarding $302 million in damages. However, al-Fares has not faced legal consequences for his alleged role in the assassination.
The ongoing protests against al-Fares’ return underscore the demand for transitional justice and accountability for war crimes committed during the conflict. As Syria navigates its post-Assad era, the pursuit of justice for victims like Marie Colvin remains a critical issue for the nation’s future.
Reference –
Outrage in Syria Over Return of Alleged Informant in American Journalist’s Killing
