Syrians exiled in Germany expressed euphoria on Sunday over the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, as they followed the rapidly evolving situation in their home country.

“Let’s rebuild our Syria together,” human rights lawyer Michal Shammas wrote on his Facebook page.

Hassan al-Aswad of the Syrian Democratic Alliance called on Syrians to forgive those who were part of the old system but did not commit serious crimes.

The lawyer from the southwestern Syrian city of Daraa, who lives in exile in Hanover, published a video in which he welcomes the fact that the rebels did not destroy state infrastructure during their advance towards Damascus.

“I forgive the person who has occupied my house since 2012.” He added: “May God forgive you. I don’t want anything from you.”

Syrians face a major test, al-Aswad said. “War is not easy, but peace is more difficult,” he said. Those guilty of crimes must receive a fair trial – something Syrians have not experienced in the past, he added.

Since Saturday, Syrian opponents of the overthrown regime have published videos showing the release of prisoners. These include political prisoners held during the reign of Bashar’s father, Hafez al-Assad, who died in 2000.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, a group staged a spontaneous demonstration on Sunday to celebrate the change of power in Syria in the Neukölln district, waving flags bearing the legend “Free Syria”.

Police described the gathering as a “relatively small group” and said no notable incidents occurred.

The demonstration was preceded on Saturday evening by a motorcade passing through Neukölln on Saturday evening. Police reported a gathering of Syrians “who demonstrated against the caliphate”, numbering in the hundreds. No notable incidents have been reported.

Neukölln, southeast of the German capital, is home to a large number of immigrants.

In recent times, violent pro-Palestinian protests have been organized to express anger at Israeli conduct in the war in the Gaza Strip.