Swedish man convicted for role in 2015 killing of Jordanian pilot by ISIS

A Swedish court sentenced Osama Krayem to life in prison on Thursday for his role in the 2015 murder of Jordanian fighter pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh. The Stockholm District Court found Krayem guilty of serious war crimes and terrorism linked to the killing, which occurred during Syria's brutal civil war.

Krayem, 32, joined ISIS during the group’s reign of terror in Syria and Iraq. The court ruled he took part in the execution of al-Kasasbeh, who was burned alive in a cage after ISIS forces captured him in December 2014. Video footage of the execution, released by the group in early 2015, shocked the world and drew widespread condemnation.

While another man ignited the fire that killed al-Kasasbeh, the court concluded that Krayem played a direct role in the execution. "The District Court has found that the defendant, through his actions, contributed so actively to the death of the pilot that he should be considered a perpetrator,” said presiding Judge Anna Liljenberg Gullesjo.

The ruling is one of the few convictions worldwide for war crimes committed by ISIS members. Sweden prosecuted the case under international law, which allows national courts to try individuals for atrocities committed abroad.

Krayem, a Swedish national, denied acting with intent. His defense team has yet to respond to the verdict. He was previously convicted in France for involvement in the 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels bombings. French authorities transferred him to Sweden for trial.

Sweden has taken a strong stance on prosecuting war crimes. Its legal system allows courts to charge suspects for international crimes, even if they occurred outside Swedish territory. Legal scholars say the case sets a precedent.

“This case is significant. It sends a message that Europe won’t offer safe harbor to individuals involved in war crimes,” said Mark Klamberg, professor of international law at Stockholm University.

Muath al-Kasasbeh was a pilot with the Jordanian air force when his F-16 crashed over Raqqa, then an ISIS stronghold. He was captured and later executed in a manner designed to provoke horror. His death spurred Jordan to intensify its military campaign against ISIS in early 2015.

ISIS ruled large areas of Syria and Iraq between 2014 and 2017. At its height, the group controlled territory the size of Britain. Thousands of foreign fighters traveled to join the so-called Islamic caliphate. Many later returned to Europe, raising concerns over security and justice.

Swedish prosecutors argued that Krayem did more than watch the execution. They presented evidence showing he helped organize, film, and support the act. The court agreed.

“This judgment is a win for justice,” said Johan Bäcker, a senior prosecutor in the case. “It shows that we can hold people accountable, even years after the crimes.”

Human rights groups praised the verdict. Amnesty International called it "a milestone in the fight against impunity."

Krayem will serve life in a Swedish prison. Under Swedish law, a life sentence typically allows for a parole review after 20-25 years, though actual release is rare in cases involving terrorism or war crimes.

Sweden’s decision to prosecute reflects a broader European trend. Courts in Germany, France, and the Netherlands have also brought war crimes charges against former ISIS members in recent years.

For the families of ISIS victims, the verdict brings a measure of accountability. Al-Kasasbeh's murder remains one of the most haunting images from the war in Syria. His death galvanized a region and became a symbol of ISIS’s brutality.

As Europe continues to grapple with the legacy of foreign fighters, cases like Krayem’s highlight the legal and moral challenges ahead. But this verdict, legal experts say, is a reminder that justice may be slow but it is still possible.

‍