Syrian Justice Minister: Army Did Not Use Chemical Weapons

Syria- Ali Abdallah

People following up on the Syrian scenario have many questions in mind on the crisis and all the current ambiguous complications it holds within its folds. 

Many questions related to Syria await answers. Perhaps, the most remarkable questions looming are on the number of foreign fighters and their nationalities in Syria, also the repetitive use of chemical weapons in some Syrian regions, the first of which was in Khan al-Assal reaching Eastern al-Ghouta. These questions include as well the evidences of the Syrian government that condemn the armed terrorist militias of committing these crimes, in addition to the cooperation between Arab and foreign judiciaries in terrorism issues, especially as this trend is on the rise in Syria.

Last but not least, an important question remains on the nature of the documents the Syrian government intends to present at the Geneva II.

Al-Ahed news website interviewed Syrian Justice Minister Dr. Najm al-Ahmad on the Syrian current affairs. The following is the interview:

- The news on the use of chemical weapons in al-Ghouta, suburbs of Damascus made Syrian and international headlines... do you have any evidence that prove the terrorist armed groups are behind the chemical attacks?

*There have been accusations the Syrian Army had used chemical weapons, this is a lie that no one will believe. I present evidences and proofs on this:

1- Keep this in mind: every time the UN Security Council determines to convene a session to discuss the Syrian crisis, the armed terrorist groups commit a massacre in a region or another one or two days before the session. They commit these crimes under the title of "Regime supporters" and then accuse the Syrian state of standing behind these massacres. Days have proven this is a lie fabricated by armed groups.

2- The Syrian state did not issue orders to the army to use any kind of heavy weapons, henceforth how can Syria use weapons it does not possess in first place? We are 100% positive our army never used lethal weapons not even once.
On another hand, when investigating any crime, there are proofs, such as witnesses, evidences, facts, testimonies, and satellites, and such a lie and no one will believe it. There is an international investigation committee in Damascus tasked with investigating the issue. This committee has total freedom to do whatever it wants and reveal all it could to present to the world crystal-clear truth.

3- We wonder, why did the armed militias attack the Khan al-Assal suburn of Aleppo, and tried to obliterate all traces of the crime? We have judicial investigations concerning Khan al-Assal and other [attacks]; the government will present its evidences and documents in the appropriate time, investigations are ongoing because the crimes have not come to an end yet.

4- When Syria allows any international team in the country to explore the presence of chemical weapons, is it possible that our army be involved in committing such acts and then allow a team to investigate and unquestionably condemn it?! Let us assume that its true, is it common sense that the army commits attacks with chemical weapons at the arrival of the investigations team to Damascus?

The matter is as follows: no one expected an international team of observers to arrive into Syria, they expected the Syrian government to reject that, which they thought would condemn us. But as the international team arrived into Syria and cooperation started between the team and the Syrian government, the [terrorist] groups were confused and acted haphazardly as usual, we iterate that the committee is still in Damascus and the crime was committed during its presence here.

5- The Syrian army is strong and firm, it can enter any area and does not need to use chemical weapons in first place against its enemy, for sure it will not use its against its people!

-Among the so-called opposition fighters are Arabs and foreigners fighting inside Syrian territories, many of them have been arrested and were put on trial on charge of terrorism in Damascus, how many are these fighters and what nationalities do they hold?

*Many Arab and foreign countries have facilitated and supported the opposition, allowing the smuggling of fighters into Syria. These fighters are known by names and nationalities, many of which were killed during the Syrian army ops, and others are imprisoned in Syrian jails. Some of their parents who hold [British, French...] nationalities have visited their children in the Damascus court. These fighters, who were encouraged by their governments to take part in the Syria war were impressed by the treatment of the Syrian regime. These imprisoned fighters, whether holding Arab or Western nationalities will be punished according to law and justice, while others given amnesty by Syria will be deported to their homeland.

- You did not mention the number of foreign and Arab fighters in Syria, whether fighting or in detention?

*The number of foreign fighters in Syria is estimated as thousands, as for those imprisoned, we will declare their names and identities in bulletins, we will officially reveal their names as we have nothing to hide.
We have already broadcast some of these fighters on the Syrian TV, but sometimes we are discreet until the end of investigations.

-The criminal court held its second session on the case of accusing the two Lebanese MPs Saad Hariri and Okab Saqr.. how effective are the accusations and will they sit before the ICC or be pursued by INTERPOL?

*People in Lebanon and Syria realize well the game played by Okab Saqr and Saad Hariri, as well as other Lebanese figures who played a negative and dangerous role, be it in financing terrorism or even committing terrorist acts that led to the death of innocent Syrians. Hence, it was normal to take the case into consideration, especially that the lawyers' syndicate and the harmed victims were the ones who filed the lawsuit against them. Also, if the arbiter sees need in INTERPOL intervention to deliver the two defendants, we will follow up on the case through international organization agreements.

- You spoke of documents that you will present at the Geneva II Conference, what are these documents?

*When our delegation heads to the Geneva II conference, it is normal that it presents all documents and facts that supports its stance. We hope there would be a real and honest will for resolving issues, especially after the catastrophic effect the international will had on the Syrian society.

Syria had presented preconditions concerning the negotiations and dialogue, and despite all attempts made by some sides to complicate the process, Syria insists to head towards political solution and dialogue.

All files and documents will be presented at the conference, we do not fear dialogue or negotiations. We have founded several committees of independent judges in the Justice ministry, to record all crimes that took place on Syrian territories since the beginning of the crisis. We will clearly declare who stands behind these crimes.

As soon as the specialized committees finish from the documents, we will publish these to the public.

***Al-Ahed will be the first to obtain these documents which will be also provided in English, French and Spanish.

Source: Al-Ahed News