Serious Accusations Against Damascus Government.. France Investigates Coastal Violations
The lawsuit in France reflects a shift in the international position toward the Syrian situation and may pave the way for political changes that align with the interests of the diverse Syrian people
April 11, 2025, 11:03 pm

Serious Accusations Against Damascus Government.. France Investigates Coastal Violations

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday that the Public Prosecutor's Office in Paris has announced its approval to receive a lawsuit against the head of the Syrian interim caretaker government, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and a number of his ministers, on extremely serious charges including genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity, based on the memorandum document obtained by the Observatory.

The lawsuit was filed by French lawyer Pedro Androgar on behalf of the "French-Alawite Assembly," based on a detailed memorandum documenting what it described as an "organized campaign against members of the Alawite sect" by the Syrian interim caretaker government, led by Al-Sharaa.

According to the judicial memorandum, the list of accused includes prominent figures in the government, among them Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, Interior Minister Anas Khattab, in addition to Muhammad Al-Jasim, known as "Abu Amsha," commander of the 25th Division.

The lawsuit included a detailed account of violations committed in the Syrian coast, most notably documenting more than 50 bloody incidents that led to the killing of at least 2,500 civilians from the Alawite sect, in addition to victims from Christian and Sunni families.

Documented violations included incidents of assault, rape, burning of homes, refusal to issue death certificates for victims, as well as targeting schools and private property, and carrying out forced displacement operations aimed at creating demographic and sectarian change in the region.

The lawsuit did not only document crimes but attached specific demands directed to French and international authorities, most notably the immediate cessation of all hostile actions and the withdrawal of armed factions from the Syrian coast.

The demands also included the necessity of releasing detainees, especially from the Alawite sect, and opening an impartial international investigation to document crimes and classify them as crimes against humanity, as well as sending an international monitoring mission and independent human rights experts to the affected areas.

This lawsuit represents the first judicial action of its kind in France against Ahmed Al-Sharaa and his government, and comes as the "French-Alawite Assembly" prepares to organize a protest on Saturday in front of the Palace of Justice in Paris, demanding justice and revealing the truth about the incidents that occurred in the Syrian coast between March 7 and 9.

These judicial developments shed light on the deteriorating situation in Syria, where civilians in various regions continue to pay the price of political and military conflicts, necessitating intensified international efforts to find a comprehensive political solution that guarantees the rights of all Syrians and protects the societal diversity that characterizes Syria.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.