German prosecutors say convicted IS member hid killings
BERLIN — A German man who had been lauded by a judge for a “wholehearted” confession about his time as a member of the Islamic State group faced new charges of concealing his true involvement with IS, with prosecutors announcing Tuesday that they suspect him of participating in the killing of captives.
Harry Sarfo was convicted last year by a Hamburg court of membership in a terrorist organization and breaching weapons export laws. The court sentenced him to three years in prison, with the presiding judge stating that his comprehensive testimony during the trial had counted in his favour.
Federal prosecutors said they have now obtained a new warrant against the 28-year-old on suspicion of murder and committing war crimes in connection with the public execution of six people in a square in Palmyra in June 2015.
Prosecutors said he led one of the captives to the execution site and prevented others from fleeing.