DAMASCUS, Syria: Syrian security forces have arrested a former security officer from the Assad era who fled Austria after being sentenced to eight years in prison for abusing detainees. He later returned to his hometown in southern Syria, state news agency SANA reported this week.

Lieutenant Colonel Musab Abu Rukba was arrested in the city of Nawa in Daraa province by internal security forces working with the counter-terrorism department, SANA reported, citing security officials.

A court in Vienna convicted Abu Rukba in July of bodily harm, aggravated coercion and sexual assault against people who were detained for opposing former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The crimes were committed more than a decade ago when Abu Rukba was head of the criminal investigations department of the police in the northern city of Raqqa.

Abu Rukba had denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

He left Austria while appealing his eight-year prison sentence. He arrived in Nawa in early August, where his family organized a reception to celebrate his return.

SANA reported this week that Abu Rukba had entered Syria illegally after fleeing Austria. Syrian authorities later tracked him down in Nawa.

The authorities referred him to the relevant legal bodies to complete the necessary procedures before prosecuting him, SANA said.

It was not immediately known what charges Abu Rukba could face in Syria. It was also unclear whether Austria had asked Syria to arrest him or extradite him.

A spokesperson for the Austrian court that convicted Abu Rukba said he had not been considered a flight risk before his trial. The spokesperson said Abu Rukba had lived in Austria since 2014 and had applied for asylum there with his family.

He was not held in custody during the trial and was not subject to other restrictions. The spokesperson said that leaving Austria while his appeal was still being considered did not violate Austrian laws or any court orders.