Swedish Court Sentences Man to Life Over ISIL Killing of Jordanian Pilot

A court in Sweden has handed a life sentence to a Swedish national for his role in one of ISIL’s most infamous killings – the burning alive of Jordanian fighter pilot Muath al-Kassasbeh in Syria in 2015.

Judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo of Stockholm District Court said on Thursday that the evidence proved the defendant, identified as Osama Krayem, was “present at the execution site, armed and in uniform, and allowed himself to be filmed”, making him a direct participant in the killing.

Although another ISIL fighter was seen lighting the fire, the court ruled that Krayem’s involvement was significant enough to consider him a perpetrator, not just an accomplice.

Krayem, 32, is already serving long sentences in France for his part in the 2015 Paris and 2016 Brussels terror attacks, which killed hundreds. He was transferred to Sweden for this trial and has denied intending to take part in the killing.

He was convicted of serious war crimes and terrorist crimes, making this the first trial to prosecute someone over al-Kassasbeh’s death under Swedish law, which allows trials for international crimes committed abroad.

Al-Kassasbeh’s plane, part of the US-led coalition striking ISIL targets in Syria, crashed on December 24, 2014. He was captured the same day.

Weeks later, ISIL released a 22-minute video showing the 26-year-old pilot surrounded by masked fighters, including Krayem, before being locked in a cage and set on fire. The footage caused worldwide outrage and a period of national mourning in Jordan.

Krayem offered no immediate comment through his lawyer after the verdict.

With input from Al Jazeera