Sweden Jihadist Sent to Life After Killing Jordan Pilot Burned Alive

Swedish Court Delivers Life Sentence to Swedish Jihadist Over 2015 Death of Jordanian Pilot

The Stockholm court handed a life term to Osama Krayem, a Swedish jihadist, for his role in the 2015 murder of a Jordanian pilot, Maaz al‑Kassasbeh, who was burned alive by the Islamic State group in Syria.

Background of the Killing

• On 24 December 2014, a Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft crashed in Syria.
• The pilot, Maaz al‑Kassasbeh, was captured by IS fighters near the central city of Raqqa.
• Before 3 February 2015, the pilot was set on fire in a cage, and a video of the gruesome execution was released.
• The prosecution identified the location, even though the exact date of the murder remained unknown.

Judge’s Findings on Krayem’s Actions

Judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo stated, “the investigation has shown that the defendant was at the execution site, uniformed and armed, and allowed himself to be filmed.”

Although video evidence showed that another man lit the fire, the judge emphasized that Krayem’s participation significantly contributed to the victim’s death.

Sentencing and Compensation

• Krayem received a life sentence for “serious war crimes and terrorist crimes.”
• The court awarded compensation of 80,000 Swedish kronor ($8,200) each to the parents and siblings of the pilot.
• Prosecutors declared that the defendant did not speak during the hearings, which did not significantly impact the ruling.

Statements from the Pilot’s Family

The pilot’s brother, Jawdat al‑Kassasbeh, expressed gratitude: “We thank Sweden and the impartial Swedish judiciary for their efforts in pursuing this case.”

Jawdat noted that solving the case “somewhat comforts the family” after a long period of pain.

Remarks from Krayem’s Lawyer

During the trial, Krayem’s lawyer highlighted that the defendant showed no empathy or remorse. The lawyer also criticized the defendant’s “inspired to continue his terrorist activities” mindset, contrasting it with the traumatic experience endured by the pilot’s family.

Previous Convictions of Krayem

• 30 years in prison in France for helping plan the November 2015 Paris attacks.
• Life imprisonment in Belgium for the 2016 attacks at Brussels’ main airport and metro station.
• France agreed on 12 March to hand him over to Sweden for nine months for the investigation and trial.
• The Stockholm court ordered that he must be returned to France by 27 December at the latest.

Concluding Note

The Swedish judiciary’s decisive action demonstrates its commitment to addressing international terrorism and ensuring justice for victims across borders.