A 32-year-old Swedish citizen, Osama Krayem, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Stockholm District Court (Stockholms Tingsrätt) for his role in the murder of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, who was burned alive by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in early 2015. The ruling, reported by Swedish public broadcaster SVT, concerns one of the most notorious atrocities committed by ISIS during the Syrian civil war.
Al-Kasasbeh was captured on 24 December 2014 after his fighter jet was shot down during a military operation over Syria. Shortly after, footage emerged showing him locked inside a metal cage and set on fire—a killing that ISIS filmed and distributed as part of its propaganda campaign.
Krayem’s confirmed presence at the murder site
The court found that Krayem was actively involved in the killing, accusing him of having escorted the victim to the metal cage and guarded the site as the execution was prepared. According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, Krayem’s actions made him complicit in what they described as “one of the most brutal murders carried out by ISIS during the Syrian conflict.”
Although Krayem did not personally ignite the fire, the court considered his logistical and security role decisive in enabling the execution. His presence at the scene was documented in ISIS-produced video recordings, which were later used as key evidence in the trial.
Conviction follows years of international cooperation
Krayem, who grew up in Malmö, had travelled to Syria via Turkey and was captured in 2016 in connection with the investigation into the 2015 Paris and Brussels terrorist attacks, where he was suspected of being part of the same network. His conviction in Sweden marks a rare case in which a European national has been held accountable for atrocities committed during the height of ISIS’s territorial control in Syria and Iraq.
The case involved extensive international cooperation, including evidence-sharing with Jordanian and French authorities. Legal experts say the verdict sets an important precedent for prosecuting foreign fighters returning to Europe.
