This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39050806

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syrian asylum seeker in Austrian court charged with 20 murders Austria tries asylum seeker over Syria murders
(about 9 hours later)
A Syrian asylum seeker has appeared in an Austrian court charged with 20 murders that took place in his home country. An asylum seeker charged by Austrian authorities with 20 murders in Syria has had his case adjourned until the end of March.
The 27-year-old man, who was arrested in western Austria in June, faces the charge of "murder in the context of terrorism".The 27-year-old man, who was arrested in western Austria in June, faces the charge of "murder in the context of terrorism".
He is accused of shooting unarmed or wounded soldiers following a battle in Homs, Syria.He is accused of shooting unarmed or wounded soldiers following a battle in Homs, Syria.
His lawyers have said that he was severely traumatised at the time.His lawyers have said that he was severely traumatised at the time.
Austrian media said the suspect told others at a refugee shelter that he had shot dead government soldiers when he was fighting with an Islamist rebel group called the Farouq Brigade. The man - who has not been named - denies the charges. According to Der Standard, he is a stateless Palestinian who grew up in a refugee camp in Homs.
Austrian media said the suspect told others at a refugee shelter that he had shot dead government soldiers when he was fighting with an Islamist rebel group called the Farouq Brigade, linked to the Free Syrian Army.
According to reports, the suspect was placed under investigation when officials were alerted to his account of events in Syria last year.According to reports, the suspect was placed under investigation when officials were alerted to his account of events in Syria last year.
Austria is unable to extradite the man to face charges in Syria because of the ongoing civil war.Austria is unable to extradite the man to face charges in Syria because of the ongoing civil war.
The decision to try him in the country for his alleged crimes committed elsewhere is thought to be a first in Austria.The decision to try him in the country for his alleged crimes committed elsewhere is thought to be a first in Austria.
Killing injured soldiers is prohibited under the Geneva Convention.Killing injured soldiers is prohibited under the Geneva Convention.
Officials have said the actions that he has allegedly described qualified as terrorism and could be prosecuted under international counter-terrorism agreements.Officials have said the actions that he has allegedly described qualified as terrorism and could be prosecuted under international counter-terrorism agreements.