- Swedish Terrorists Recieves Fresh Sentence
- Played Significant Role in Jordanian Pilot’s Death
- To Pay 80,000 Swedish Kronor as Compensation
A Swedish national previously convicted of involvement in major terrorist attacks in Europe has now received a fresh life sentence for war crimes and terrorism over his role in the horrific killing of a Jordanian pilot in Syria a decade ago.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Stockholm District Court found Osama Krayem, 32, guilty of participating in the brutal execution of Lt. Moaz al-Kasasbeh, a Jordanian air force pilot whose death shocked the world after a video showed him being burned alive inside a cage by Islamic State (ISIS) militants in 2015.
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Lt. Kasasbeh, then 26, had been captured in December 2014 after his fighter jet went down during a US-led coalition mission over Syria. Despite efforts by Jordanian authorities to negotiate his release through a prisoner exchange, the pilot was eventually killed in one of the most gruesome acts associated with ISIS.
While Krayem denied any involvement in the murder, Swedish prosecutors presented evidence proving he played an active role. According to the court, although another ISIS member lit the fire that killed the pilot, Krayem was fully involved in the execution process.
He reportedly guarded the victim, transported him to the execution site, and was present during the killing while dressed in military gear and carrying arms.
Presiding judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo said Krayem’s involvement made him directly responsible for the war crime. “The accused actively contributed to the execution and must therefore be regarded as a co-perpetrator,” the judge stated.
The court also ordered Krayem to pay compensation of 80,000 Swedish kronor (approximately ₦12.3 million) each to the pilot’s parents and siblings.
Krayem, originally from Malmö, Sweden, had travelled to Syria in 2014 to join ISIS. He is already serving a 30-year sentence for his role in the November 2015 Paris attacks, which claimed 130 lives, and a life sentence for his part in the 2016 Brussels bombings that killed 32 people.
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Speaking to Swedish media, the pilot’s brother, al-Kasasbeh, expressed mixed emotions.
“It’s painful for our family to relive this moment, but we are thankful that justice is finally being served,” he said.
