Sweden hands life sentence to Daesh member for killing of Jordanian pilot

A Swedish court has sentenced Daesh member Osama Krayem to life in prison for his role in the 2015 murder of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, who was burned alive by Daesh in Syria.

The Stockholm District Court found that Krayem, 32, had “participated actively” in the gruesome execution despite not being the one to light the fire. Kasasbeh, a Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot, was captured by Daesh fighters after his aircraft crashed near Raqqa in December 2014.

Read more: Swedish court hears brother’s testimony in trial over Jordanian pilot’s execution

Judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo said, “The investigation has shown that the defendant was at the execution site, uniformed and armed, and allowed himself to be filmed.” She added that although someone else lit the blaze, Krayem’s actions were “so significant” that he should be seen as a perpetrator.

According to the court, Krayem guarded the pilot before and during the execution, and escorted him to the cage where he was set alight. The trial also confirmed the location of the killing, though the precise date remains unknown.

The court awarded 80,000 Swedish kronor (about USD 8,200) in compensation to each of Kasasbeh’s parents and siblings.

Krayem had already been serving long sentences for his involvement in the 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 bombings in Brussels. He remained silent throughout the June trial, though previously recorded interrogations were used as evidence. His lawyer argued Krayem spent only 15–20 minutes at the site and did not know what was happening until filming began.

That claim was rejected by the court. “The fact that the defendant did not speak did not significantly impact the ruling,” said Gullesjo, emphasizing the strength of the prosecution’s case.

Jawdat Kasasbeh, the late pilot’s brother who traveled from Jordan to testify, told Agence France-Presse (AFP), “This verdict somewhat comforts the family,” and thanked the Swedish judiciary for pursuing the case.

His lawyer, Mikael Westerlund, told the court that Krayem displayed no remorse, “Most people who witnessed what Muath went through would undoubtedly need long-term treatment to overcome the trauma… Krayem, on the other hand, does not seem to have been traumatised, but inspired.”

Krayem, who is from Malmö, was temporarily transferred from France to Sweden for the trial under a nine-month arrangement and is to be returned by December 27.