FINLAND WAR CRIMES TRIAL RAISES TECHNICAL CHALLENGES The Iraqi twin brothers Context Ongoing proceedings in Finland against Iraqi twin brothers for their alleged implication in the Camp Speicher massacre near Tikrit, Iraq, in June 2014 Suspect Iraqi nationals and alleged Islamic State (IS) fighters Country of residence of suspects Finland Charges War crimes, murder and aggravated assault committed with terrorist intent Developments in 2018 The appeal trial started on 11 September 2018 but was postponed until further notice due to arrangements regarding hearings of witnesses in Iraq. The Court of Appeal decided that the main hearings would not be formally opened before these witnesses have been heard, “outside the main hearing”. Facts In June 2014, 1,700 unarmed Iraqi army recruits were arrested at Camp Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq, by members of the IS. The victims were laid on the ground and shot one by one. The Iraqi twin brothers are alleged to have murdered 11 of them. Procedure The 24-year-old Iraqi twin brothers entered Finland in September 2015 as asylum seekers. They were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on suspicion of involvement in the Camp Speicher massacre committed on behalf of IS in Iraq. Their trial started on 13 December 2016 before the District Court of Pirkanmaa. On 30 November 2016, they were charged with war crimes, murder, and assault with terrorist intent. The prosecution sought life imprisonment for the defendants, both of whom had pleaded not guilty to the charges. On 24 May 2017, the District Court of Pirkanmaa acquitted the Iraqi twin brothers for lack of evidence. They were granted a compensation for their pre-trial detention. The two accused were allowed to reside in Finland. The prosecution appealed this judgment. Read more about the case Current status Acquitted; on appeal 20