The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Germany has ordered the arrest of a man in Berlin, believed to be a leader of a militia affiliated with the former Syrian regime led by the ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The highest prosecutorial authority in Germany believes that in 2011 the man, along with his militia, brutally assaulted protesters in the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. The public prosecutor accuses him of crimes against humanity including torture, killing, and deprivation of liberty.

According to investigations, the accused and members of his militia allegedly violently attacked civilians on eight different occasions after Friday prayers, using metal rods, iron pipes, and similar tools in an attempt to disperse or prevent demonstrations. Electric shock devices were also used.

In one incident in front of a mosque, militia members caused severe injuries to a protester who died shortly afterward.

The public prosecutor also indicated that the accused handed over some protesters to the police or intelligence agencies, “where the victims were also subjected to harsh mistreatment and insults.”

Agents from the Federal Criminal Police Office arrested the suspect in the German capital Berlin, with the support of the city police.

He is scheduled to be transferred on Wednesday to Karlsruhe to be presented before the investigating judge at the Federal Supreme Court, who will decide on his pretrial detention.