Archive · 3 Sep 2025
France Issues Arrest Warrants for Assad, Others Over 2012 Attack
Imagine a place in Syria where journalists were trying to report the news, but in 2012, it was bombed.
French judges have now decided to arrest some important Syrian officials, including the former president, for this attack.
These officials are accused of hurting journalists on purpose.
The judges believe the attack was done to stop the journalists from reporting on what was happening there.
The attack killed two journalists and injured others.
The siege ended when rebels left the city.
France issued arrest warrants for seven former Syrian officials, including Bashar al-Assad.
The warrants are related to a 2012 bombing of a press center in Homs, Syria.
The attack killed American journalist Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik.
Officials are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The investigation suggests the attack targeted foreign journalists to limit media coverage.
- Who
- French investigating judges and former Syrian officials including Bashar al-Assad.
- What
- Issued arrest warrants for the bombing of a press centre.
- When
- The attack occurred on February 22, 2012.
- Where
- Homs, Syria.
- Why
- The judicial investigation found the attack deliberately targeted foreign journalists to limit media coverage.
- Event
- Bombing of a press centre in Homs, Syria
- Date
- February 22, 2012
- Victims
- Marie Colvin, Remi Ochlik, and others
- Accused
- Bashar al-Assad and six other officials
- Charges
- Complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity