Universal jurisdiction database
The universal jurisdiction database offers an overview of major criminal cases related to universal jurisdiction worldwide, as well as some cases of international crimes based on active or passive personality jurisdiction. These cases also feature in TRIAL International’s Universal Jurisdiction Annual Review (UJAR), published each year.
Unless stated otherwise, the cases in the database are not litigated by TRIAL International. While every attempt was made to ensure accuracy, information may be subject to change without notice.
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Salah Habib
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.04.2023)
Context
Ongoing investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes by supplying equipment and components allegedly used by the Syrian regime for the surveillance and repression of opponents, as well as materials allegedly used for the production of chemical weapons, through a company based in France and in the United Arab Emirates
Type of juri...
Gibril Massaquoi
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 31.03.2023)
Context
Pending appeal against the acquittal of a Sierra Leonean alleged former rebel commander. The Massaquoi trial was the first of its kind, where a national court travelled to hold the trial in the affected countries, Sierra Leone and Liberia. It is a unique example of cooperation between a prosecuting state and the country of commission of the crimes.
T...
Bai L.
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 30.03.2023)
Global
Context
Trial of a former member of a Gambian paramilitary unit known as the “Junglers” or “Patrol Team” for crimes against humanity allegedly committed between December 2003 and December 2006
Type of jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Suspect
Bai L., Gambian national, alleged former member of the Junglers
Country of residence of suspect
Germany
Charg...
Mohammed Ben Zayed
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.04.2023)
Context
Dismissal of investigation of former crown prince, senior army official, now President of the United Arab Emirates for complicity in torture in Yemen
Type of jurisdiction
Universal Jurisdiction
Suspect
Mohammed Ben Zayed, President of the UAE, former crown prince and senior army official when the facts occurred...
Eyad al-Gharib
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.04.2023)
Context
Conviction before the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz of one former member of the Syrian General Intelligence Service (GIS) for international crimes allegedly committed by the al-Khatib branch (also known as Branch 251) in Damascus. This was the first trial addressing systematic international crimes committed by the Syrian government and its intellig...
Unknown armed forces - investigation over the killing of Lithuanian filmmaker in Mariupol
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.05.2023)
Context
Ongoing investigation into the killing of Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravičius in Mariupol in the context of the Russian war against Ukraine
Type of jurisdiction
Passive personality
Suspects
Unknown armed forces
Country of residence of suspects
Unknown
Charges
As the case is at the investigation stage, no suspect has been formally charge...
Name withheld - Liberian national
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.05.2023)
Context
Arrest and ongoing inquiries into a man suspected of war crimes during the first and second Liberian civil wars
Type of jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Suspect
Name withheld, Liberian national
Country of residence of suspect
United Kingdom
Charges
As the case is at the investigation stage, the suspect has not yet been formally charged. The...
Amesys - two executives
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 29.03.2023)Nicolae Bogdan Buzaianu
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.04.2023)
Context
Ongoing proceedings in Switzerland against a Swiss national for his alleged involvement in international crimes through commercial activities conducted together with former Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh
Type of jurisdiction
Active personality
Suspect
Nicolae Bogdan Buzaianu, a Swiss businessman who, through a complex network of commercial entiti...
Jamil Hassan
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 30.03.2023)
Islam Alloush
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 31.03.2023)
Context
Ongoing proceedings against a senior official of the Jaysh al-Islam armed group for crimes committed between 2011 and 2018
Type of jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Suspect
Islam Alloush, Syrian national, former spokesperson of Jaysh al-Islam
Country of residence of suspect
France
Charges
War crimes including recruitment of...
Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi
17.04.2023 - (Last modified: 03.04.2023)
Context
Ongoing investigation into torture allegedly committed by General Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi, president of Interpol since November 2021
Type of jurisdiction
Universal jurisdiction
Suspect
Al-Raisi, Emirati general, high- ranking police official and current president of Interpol
Countries of residence of suspect
United Arab Emirates, France
Charges...