‘Syria Replaces Security Chief’
BEIRUT (Dispatches) – Syria’s government has replaced one of its top security chiefs Jamil Hassan, a subject of Western sanctions, pro-Damascus social media sites reported.
Hassan, who is in his mid 60s, has been replaced as head of Syrian Air Force Intelligence by his deputy Ghassan Ismail, said Tartous Now News Network and Homs News Network. There was no official comment on Syrian state media.
A U.S. Treasury sanctions designation for Hassan in 2011 described Air Force Intelligence as one of Syria’s four main security agencies.
Syria’s pervasive security agencies have played a major role for President Bashar al-Assad since the start of the foreign-backed militancy in 2011.
Last year German prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant for Hassan, accusing him of "war crimes and crimes against humanity”. Syria denies the charges and says the accusations are unfounded.
Hassan, who is in his mid 60s, has been replaced as head of Syrian Air Force Intelligence by his deputy Ghassan Ismail, said Tartous Now News Network and Homs News Network. There was no official comment on Syrian state media.
A U.S. Treasury sanctions designation for Hassan in 2011 described Air Force Intelligence as one of Syria’s four main security agencies.
Syria’s pervasive security agencies have played a major role for President Bashar al-Assad since the start of the foreign-backed militancy in 2011.
Last year German prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant for Hassan, accusing him of "war crimes and crimes against humanity”. Syria denies the charges and says the accusations are unfounded.