THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Syrian national accused of crimes against humanity was sentenced on Monday to 26 years in prison by a Dutch court for the torture and rape of imprisoned opponents of the government of former president Bashar Assad during the civil war.

The man, identified only as Rafiq al Q. due to Dutch privacy regulations, went on trial in April facing charges including torture, sexual abuse and rape. The 58-year-old denied being involved and accused alleged victims and police of conspiring against him.

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