Kathmandu— Lebanon has transferred former Syrian army general Adel Issa to Syria to face charges including murder and torture, marking the first such transfer involving a Syrian military officer who fled after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. The handover occurred on Wednesday following Issa's detention in Beirut last month after he visited the Syrian embassy for paperwork; Syrian authorities had issued an arrest warrant accusing him of multiple crimes, including homicide and inciting civil war. A Damascus referral judge will now hear his case.

Details of the Charges

Syria’s Ministry of Interior confirmed receiving Issa from Lebanese authorities on Wednesday, stating that he faces charges of intentional homicide, facilitating a felony, killing more than two people, torture leading to death, and crimes aimed at inciting civil war and sectarian strife. The ministry indicated that the case will be referred to a criminal court following an initial hearing with a Damascus referral judge.

Issa’s Background and Arrest

Adel Issa, 67, previously served as commander of Syria’s 17th Division and later led ground forces in Deir ez-Zur. He has reportedly denied the accusations against him. According to Reuters, Issa was detained on August 8 after alerting Lebanese authorities that he was wanted by Syrian officials while at the Syrian embassy in Beirut.

Growing Pressure from Damascus

This transfer follows months of pressure from Damascus for Lebanon to take action against former Syrian government officers and security personnel who sought refuge there following the Assad regime’s collapse. In January, Syrian authorities provided Lebanese security officials with a list of over 200 wanted individuals. The current Lebanese president is Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader.

The transfer of Issa signals a potential shift in Lebanon's approach to addressing requests from Damascus regarding former Syrian officials residing within its borders.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.