French anti-terror prosecutors have formally asked for the current whereabouts of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to be identified as part of an ongoing investigation into crimes against humanity, linked to the deaths of journalists in Syria during the 2012 siege of Homs.

France Intensifies Legal Pursuit of Assad

French judicial authorities have intensified their investigation into crimes committed during the Syrian civil war, focusing on Bashar al-Assad and other senior regime figures. The inquiry relates to the deaths of journalists Marie Colvin and Rémi Ochlik, who were killed in a targeted bombing of a press center in the Baba Amr district of Homs in February 2012.

French prosecutors believe the attack was part of a deliberate strategy by the Syrian regime to silence journalists. They accuse “all military and security leaders” involved in operations at the time of orchestrating the strike.

High-Profile Figures Under Investigation

Alongside Bashar al-Assad, the French judiciary is seeking to locate Maher al-Assad, commander of the elite Fourth Armored Division, and other senior officials including heads of Syrian intelligence. These individuals have been named in a supplementary indictment dated July 7.

French lawyers representing victims, including journalist Edith Bouvier who was wounded in the attack, praised the prosecutors’ request as a significant step toward accountability.

A French court has already issued arrest warrants against Bashar al-Assad for his alleged role in the chemical attacks on Eastern Ghouta in 2013 and other atrocities.

France’s legal actions against Syrian officials have steadily expanded since investigations began in 2014. These now encompass not only war crimes but also crimes against humanity. The recent judicial move signals Paris’s determination to hold Assad and his inner circle accountable despite his continued evasion of international justice.