Damascus, April 26 (SANA) The appearance of defendant Atef Najib before the judiciary in the first public trial targeting a senior figure of the deposed regime marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s transitional justice process after years linked to repression and violations.
Najib rose to prominence at the beginning of the revolution in Syria while serving as head of the Political Security branch in Daraa, where the revolutionary movement first began. His name became associated with the arrest and torture of children who wrote anti-regime slogans on walls, an incident that sparked widespread public anger and fueled protests. According to documented statements, the case involved severe abuse, including the removal of fingernails of children.
Authorities said Najib directly oversaw arrest and interrogation operations and issued orders for a brutal response to demonstrations, resulting in casualties and injuries. These violations form part of a broader file that includes serious abuses against civilians during that period.
Najib, who comes from a family with close ties to the deposed ruling circle, held influential security positions, benefiting from proximity to the head of the deposed regime. This influence placed him among the most prominent security officials in southern Syria, where he played a central role in suppressing protests from their early stages.
Following the country’s liberation and the fall of the deposed regime, Syrian authorities launched efforts to pursue those implicated in violations. Internal security forces arrested Najib in January 2025 during operations targeting remnants of the deposed regime. He underwent extensive investigations that included testimonies from victims and their families, along with security documents obtained after the fall of the regime.
After the investigations were completed, Najib was referred to the competent judiciary to face multiple charges, including killing, torture, and overseeing widespread violations against civilians.
The trial is considered the first of its kind involving a high-ranking security official from the deposed regime, giving it legal and symbolic significance as a starting point for transitional justice aimed at revealing the truth, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring justice for victims. It also provides an opportunity for victims’ families to present testimonies before the court as part of a broader process to reinforce accountability and prevent impunity.
M.Q.R
