Two Syrians deny civil war torture accusations in Austria trial

AI Summary

Two former Syrian officials, including an ex-general and senior police officer, have pleaded not guilty in an Austrian trial to allegations of torture and mistreatment of protestors during Syria's civil war.

An ex-Syrian general and a former senior Syrian police officer pleaded not guilty on Monday to torturing opponents of ousted president Bashar al-Assad as their trial started in Vienna. The two face charges including torture, aggravated coercion, sexual coercion and inflicting serious bodily harm. Prosecutors accused them of "having, on numerous occasions, ordered or failed to oppose the mistreatment of members of a protest movement".