ah, ah ah ah ah, this is dw news lie from berlin, a german court becomes the 1st in the world to convict a high ranking syrian officer for state sanctioned to torture. the former colonel

gets life in prison for presiding over the systematic torture and killing of boucher allah opponents. the trial could set a precedent for other exiled syrian officials suspected of crimes during the civil war. also coming up, frances teachers, go on strike over the government handling of the coven. 19 situation in schools. the country is europe's pandemic hotspot. with more than 300000 new daily infections, teachers want to clear rules and more protection. and a week of diplomacy aimed at easing tensions on russia's border with ukraine continues so far without progress, dw reports from ukraine's don bass region on living with a threat of a possible russian invasion. ah, i'm see me summons candidates good to have you with us. a german court has

sentenced former syrian military officer to life in prison for crimes against humanity. it is the world's 1st trial concerning state torture in syria. the court found on more rice, i'm guilty of overseeing the murder of 27 people at the al cathy detention center in damascus. the ex kernel seen here during his trial, had it a notorious secret service unit a decade ago, under the regime of basha, al arthur. rosalind later fled to germany where he was detained in 2019 and let's go right to our correspondent louisa. andrea dolphin. she is in cobblins outside of the court house, where she has been following the trial for us. hi louisa. i tell us more about the current court ruling to day as you mentioned and wireless lan was ahead of her. i'd had t prison in damascus. and in that respect, he has been charged with her of torture and more than $4000.00 cases and earth

$27.00 murders and also a singer of several cases of sexual abuse and rape. and he himself, for claims that he was not overseeing that he had not that much power as director of that prison, that the regime did not trust him any more at the moment where he was director of the prison. and now the court has just outlined why it didn't by the argument why it still believes that, and we're a roslyn, or carry some kind of responsibility for these crimes. these are crimes against humanity, and that's why and why was line was sentenced with life imprisonment. and some victims and their loved ones that gather today to hear this verdict and tell us what it means to them. it's a huge moment for many assyrian exiles. so they say it's the 1st time ever they were able to talk about the experience of being tortured of being detained

unlawfully in front of a court. that's already a big step for many of these who are standing in front of the course, they are for the 1st time able to talk about their loved ones that are still for some of them are in syrian prisons. they don't know about their whereabouts, but they also say, even though it's a feeling of happiness, it's also mixes with a feeling of sadness because these loved ones, they still don't know where they are and it's not going to bring them back. and they, they told me they hoped that sir, in the future, in a distant future, such trials will also be held in syria and not in germany. thousands of kilometers away. p w as lewis f. one. great, talking reporting on this landmark trial for a say in cobblins. thank you. let's get a more perspective on the story. we can speak to with neatness or kerry. she's an assistant counsel for the international justice program and human rights watch. she followed this trial closely as well from cobblins whitney. thank you for joining us

. first off, i want to get your take on this verdict. what did you make of the court's ruling? thank you for having me. so the conviction of unbar are, is really a watershed moment for so by those of torture. and this is the moment that is, that means so much for choices in bible because it's one of the few tools that is left to, to see some justice happening. and courageous and determined victims have been the cornerstone of making this trial, hampton, in this verdict to day with you. so to day incontinence is a very strong warning and message to the searing authorities that no one is beyond the reach of justice. when i want to ask you about what we saw to the course of this trial, because gathering evidence in a case like this is extremely difficult. so how did it come to be that on rustling could be convicted? yes, so the evidence against unbar are,

has been overwhelming in we have seen in over 100 trial days over a to witnesses testified. so by most police investigators a forensic dr. journalist, expert witnesses that have testified not only on the background on and on the systematic torture and killing that are, that are happening in serious prison right now. so, in germany has been actually investigating you is crimes in syria since 2011. the in the evidence is, is really, and we've been there so much evidence of systematic and widespread torture in this prison. so it's a combination of, of the, of the testimonies of so by those who were courageous enough to step forward and, and of lawyers. and of course, the framework, the legal framework in germany which allowed this child to take place. you're

saying there's a lot of evidence out there. so do you think that we can expect further trial against other perpetrators of torture? absolutely, we have seen a rise of syria related cases in germany. and just next week, we will have another state syria state torch, a trial taking place in front of the higher regional court in frankfurt, germany against a syrian doctor, also accused of torturing people in hospital in damascus, syria, what message, precedent to think this sets for those perpetrators well, as i said, it's, you know, it's, it's a message and the warning to the, to the soon authorities beds that justice will be done. it is a message that germany is not going to be a safe haven for walk criminals. and it also shows like this, this trial shows that this countries who are interested in seeing justice done for,

for syria, and it shows what role and national courts can play in combating impunity. witness a car from human rights watch. joining us from copeland, thank you for sharing your insights with us today. thank now to some other headlines from around the world. flooding and landslides have killed 10 people and brazil, southeastern state of minister ice. the region has been hit by extensive rains for more than 2 months. at least 17000 people have been forced to leave their homes. public transportation and labor unions have paralyzed parts of lebanon, with a general strike, bus truck and taxi drivers block major highways and roads in the capital bay route . and universities and schools were close all over the country. lebanon has been suffering. one of the world's worst economic crises. protesters are angry at what they describe as government inaction. britain's prince. andrew will face

a civil case in the u. s. over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17 virginia jew fray is suing the prince, claiming he abused her in 2001. the case could be heard in court later this year. more in the u. k. parts of public life are being severely affected by staff shortages brought on by the spread of the on the crime corona, virus variance, up to 200000 daily new cases have been reported. now the government is planning to cut the minima, iso isolating period for those with cove at 19, from $7.00 to $5.00 days, hoping to ease a desperate situation in a nation where on the cross spreading fast stop absences and crucial services, a biting hard across england, tens of thousands of health care workers are off with cove at 1900 or isolating filing pressure on an exhaustive system. now grappling with the highest rated hospitalisation since february last year. the main challenge we've got with the

moment is the sheer numbers of people talk to nick scriven works at a hospital in the north of england. he and his colleagues were treating 2500 patients over christmas. now it's around $160.00 or less patients. so intensive care which is a blessing. but on the general, was there a lot more, coupled with perhaps it feels like more stop off than there have been a time just make a very stretch. and we're dealing with a usual winter plus all the kind of related work as well. so it's worse than it's been in terms of numbers for a long, long time. more patients to treat and fuse staff to treat them is a worrying mix. it's lead a number of hospitals to the class critical incidents this month, and it's not just hospitals struggling to maintain services, several rail services, stripping back journeys, unable to find the staff to operate them. what do we see? schools are also facing a staffing crisis. one and 12 teachers were absent in england last week at this

high school in london, staff absences hit one in 10. there is nothing easy about this at all. you know, you come back after a holiday or a break and you come back with renewed optimism. but then when you're faced with such large challenges with staff absence, it does begin to wear you down the pressure, the pressure on us to keep our schools going. it's really challenging. like whole essential services schools like this one have been fighting to keep going throughout the pandemic. you thought just in this latest wave substitute teachers and staff working longer hours are sticking plaster for now, but the pressure is not sustainable. honish and with their new government restrictions in sight. the hope is that signs of a peek in cases in london will seem be merit nationwide. while france teachers are on strike today over what they say is the unmanageable burden of dealing with coven 19 rules. teachers unions of called street protests in some major cities about half

of frances primary schools had to remain closed due to the walk out. teachers are angry at class disruptions and ever changing rules. they're also asking for better protection as the arm across very and fuels of surge in coven 19 infections. let's go right to paris where our correspond. christine was standing by at one of those street protests taking place. hi, christine. tell us what has been happening and why french teachers are striking. hi sumi, so as you can see, the big crowd behind me police were expecting about some 3000 people to come out today. it looks as though it is a really big crowd. unions across the education 6 are all gathered hands today they've come out. they say to show the government just how frustrated they are, that this is about demonstrating the ag. i spoke to a few teachers who say they simply don't feel safe teaching at this time. they

talked about wanting the government to provide them with the to mosque, for example. some are insisting out one later working conditions in terms of the ventilation of cross rule. and they just say that it's a very difficult job managing children at this time, especially when you have a number of colleagues taking the sick and having to isolated hope because of positive test results. they say that the government isn't listening to them, has not been i, oftentimes the ever changing rules are communicated via the media. and there is this direct engagement that they would like. so a lot of this today really is just to show the government how frustrated they of course, there are other longstanding issues in the sector. as all you will know that there are some parents as well. we've come out today to show solidarity with teachers and to see this all comes as france really is, become the epicenter of the pandemic in europe right now. so tell us what the situation is like there. that's right. i mean, in the last 24 hours, you had over 300000 confirmed cases and also not of that is due and down to the con

variant. this is something that deep minorities expected, the in steer, the pasture institute here has said that it expects to see cases peak in, in, in, in the next 2 weeks. and that would be followed by an increase in hospital admissions. so france, very much still in the thick of things we went around this morning to different labs and, and pharmacies where people are getting tested. many people showing up to, to confirm via a p c r test. what is a positive result? they've received with the rapid tests that people are taking at home. so many people knowing of course, somebody will some people out who are coven positive right now? so this is of course, a country that still very much out within the, on the con wave bearing in mind. delta is also still in the mix here as well. so there are a lot of restrictions now that are being placed on public life. and of course, that increase in testing is field by the fact that many people i have not yet

received a boost of vaccine. and of course, you need that to be able to access a variety of services and, and public life w's. christine manuel, reporting from the streets of paris. there were that protest is taking place as teachers on strike today. thank you so much, christine. now, to some other developments in pandemic, the world health organization says vaccine mandates should only be a last resort in the pandemic. and that they should be temporary. the w h o also says the risks should be communicated transparently. denmark plans to start eating some of the restrictions that imposed due to a spike in our macro infections, including reopening movie theaters and museums that is despite new infection, remaining near record levels, and a group of doctors in spain, as criticized statements by the government, about changing its approach to dealing with cobit 19, saying it is too early and that the restrictions in place are still needed. you're

watching d. w still to come on our show. we had to ukraine's far eastern don bass region and here from the people there living in the shadow of a potential russian invasion. but 1st, let's get a round up of some other headlines. a troops from a russia lead security alliance deployed to context on have started heading home. the contact president called in the forces last week after peaceful demonstrations against rising fuel prices escalated into violent anti government protests. authority say they have now regained full control in the central asian nation. several people have been killed by a car bomb, and the somali capital mogadishu, the all sher bob jihad, his group has claimed responsibility for the attack. it took place only days after somali leaders had agreed on a new time table for long delayed elections and the coffin of european parliament president david cecily has arrived at rome, town hall, where he will lie in state. the 65 year old italian center left politician,

died on tuesday after suffering for poor health for several months. his juno will be held on friday. poland, foreign minister has warned. europe is closer to war than it has been in 30 years. his comments come after a series of talks between russian and western delegates on tensions over ukraine. the kremlin says the diplomatic efforts which have involved talks with us delegates, nato, and the o. s. e. have been unsuccessful so far. for nearly 8 years now, ukrainian forces have been fighting a russian back to separatist insurgency in the east of the country. that conflict of claim some $14000.00 lives, with tens of thousands of russian troops now massing on the border. many in ukraine fear and eminent invasion. d. w correspondent nick commonly traveled to the front line city of don't yet sk and sent us this report.

just before the shooting starts, you see the cats and dogs taking cover. that's like they can feel the comics. here in front lines, they're done yet gunfire and shelling a part of everyday life and have been for the past 8 years for the str animals, ukrainian soldiers, and the few civilians left for the people living there. and over there, beyond that, there is no one and just the front line. most of those left the elderly and have nowhere else to go. brush and back to protest, only a few 100 meters away from these ukranian positions close enough to watch each other, cooking or chopping firewood. we were just a matter of minutes after the last exchange of fire, the grain, se, but sniper, activity and drone attacks of spiked in recent weeks. as the world tries to 2nd guess vladimir putin troop build up when you cranes borders soldiers here understand that they would likely be the 1st by the brunt of an invasion. here's

due to the fact of course we're following the news closely, but whatever happens, our army isn't much better shape than in 20. 14 and russia would face a lot more resistance. it's the civilians out there who are getting really nervous . watching them was callers missed upon it shows you say that power line troops of 30 meters behind it. they managed to push that position forward a bit where you only knew more when we 1st met catch on her children. 2017. the fighting was even close by fan front line started. we're her. gotten into the day she tells us is a good day in the shelling only machine gunfire. why don't i go and walks with the kids around the village and we have machine gun fire in the distance. we just do our thing. we're not scared you bring catches. 3 children have grown up, learned nothing but conflict now as well as war seems ever more likely. she's weeks away from giving birth to school. she has most people can imagine bringing up a family place like this. you will push a la quinta, betral,

west. this is my village and i know i know west high just the bombing start, so i know it will protect me if i can drop into a date and time or surviving will be i will as, as work work with the don't me sticking it out for years even catches now making plans to leave him. you back at the front lines. i also expanded, if he thinks russia will get its way and keep ukraine out of western alliances. well, nato membership is not going to happen anytime soon. but i think in the envelope, take us a lot has changed in this country. and so if we, if the russians have done everything they could to convince us that they're not our brothers to make us turn our backs on them, shipped all abroad tomorrow. and so now at least russia seems to be in no mood to try to win back ukrainian hearts and minds while we mention talks are taking place today with the o. s. e and e u foreign and defense ministers. we have our correspondence on the

ground. marina strauss isn't brushed and emily, sure when is in moscow, it is good to see you both marina. let's begin with you because russia has been talking only with the u. s. and nato. how does the european union want to solve the crisis on ukraine's border? certainly in a diplomatic way. but they also made clear, like your leaders have made clear over the last couple of weeks that they won't back down on certain security structures that have established in your or for example, the sovereignty of ukraine and also of other post soviet countries. the problem is that europe is not really united when it comes, that is conflict between russia and ukraine. they all think that if russia invaded to retain than further sanctions are definitely needed. but they're not really united when it comes to a common position towards russia. we have, for example,

the baltic states and poland. they have a common border with russia, so they see the russian threat a lot more than, for example, italy or spain. then we have france where i am right now. we'd sure has tried like a sort of political rapprochement with russia and then we have germany that is heavily reliant on russian gas. and would you also have to know is that you is, is an economic player in the world, but it's not a military player. and that's something they want should changed and that's something that was also discussed here today among the defense, you defense editors. now, emily, we heard there are, there are deep divisions in the you over how to contain russia. is that playing into precedent putin's hands? well, i think so somewhat, you know, because this week we've seen again again that russia has come to the negotiating table with a very harsh united stance, and they haven't been budging. in fact,

we've heard russia repeat its demands to the west to the u. s. at the beginning of this week then to nato countries, and again today at the o, c e meetings. and their stands is, is basically the stance that they publish back in december. they're demanding written guarantees from nato and the u. s. that nato will not expand eastward, and also certain guarantees on the stationing of miss styles near russia's borders . that's something that they also don't want. and essentially, listening to the russians this week is almost like listening, listening to a broken record. and i think the troops, the russian troops that are on the ukrainian border, according to western officials, those are, of course, additional leverage. russia has made it clear that those aren't going anywhere for now. today,

the deputy foreign minister here in russia was even saying that putin was consulting with military experts on what to do if the situation with ukraine escalades essentially implying that there could be some kind of provocation from the ukrainian side that could bring this military situation to escalate so i think the russians are definitely leaving that military threat on the table in part to keep negotiations going and to see how far they can push it with with western leaders and rena. you know, there's been talk about the european union being sidelined on a matter of european security. is the meeting where you are foreign and defense minister is an attempt to stay relevant. ministerial meetings are something that happens regularly and brussels are in also another european countries that, that it, this meeting was not conveyed because of ukraine. but of course, ukraine, russia is on top of the agenda. and yet there was some frustration in brussels that

the year was sidelined during these high level meetings because they didn't really participate. of course, nato participated in 21 year countries, so the vast majority of the member states are part of nato. and the e. u. a chief diplomat, it shows that barrell just held a press conference here and said we are in close touch with the us and they are looking also at our concerns. but of course, this cannot hide the fact that that you was not sitting at the table this week. we'll leave it there our correspondence, marina ross and breast, and emily, sherwin in moscow. thank you. serbian tennis star novak joke of riches visa status remains in limbo even after he was included in the draw for the 1st round of the australian. open the australian government as yet to decide whether to cancel his vsa for a 2nd time. the men's tennis number one has admitted there was false information on his immigration forms and that he met a journalist even though he had tested positive for cobra,

19 joke of which has chosen not to be vaccinated. the australian open begins on monday, if he is allowed to play, he will face fellow serbian meal, mere catch markovich in the 1st round. and one of the biggest voices of the 1960s has fallen. silent. american singer ronnie spector has died of cancer at the age of 78. she shot to start him in the sixty's as the leader of iran at the group was perhaps best known for the classic b, my date of which is september. reminder of our top story now. a german court has handed down a life sentence to one of boucher allison intelligence officers for crimes against humanity. former syrian colonel on war ruslan was found guilty of presiding over

systematic torture and the killing of anti regime figures. a decade ago, coming up next on dw news, asia, china says it is prepared the greenest olympic games ever. but the ski slopes slopes tell another story. be response, she has that story and much more coming up next on d, w. news, asia. don't forget to go to our website d, w dot com for all the latest news and information around the clock. thank you for watching. ah ah, with

who a double used crime fighters are back africans, most successful radio drama series continues this season. the stories focus on hate

speech, color of prevention and sustainable charcoal production. all episodes are available online. and of course you can share and discuss on d, w, africa's facebook page, and other social media platforms, crime fighters, tune in now. in the battle against cove it with the oma variant is putting health care systems around the world to the test vaccination campaigns are accelerating while restrictions are intensifying once again. but are these measures enough to stop the spread of omicron, fax, data and reports? you know a weekly coven, 19 special every thursday on d. w. like dusty boots, muddy ties, and drones, we deliver urgent life saving boxes. we give up everything to reach those who need

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