Damascus, April 26 (SANA) Damascus Attorney General Judge Hossam Khattab said that holding the first public trial session for figures of the deposed regime represents an exceptional and historic event for Syrians, particularly as it marks the start of the transitional justice process against those involved in crimes against Syrians.
Khattab told SANA that the Public Prosecution continues to carry out its duties in initiating and pursuing public rights cases to ensure the application of the law and the achievement of justice. He explained that Sunday’s session was held publicly with the presence of defendant Atef Najib, while proceedings were conducted in absentia for the head of the deposed regime Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and a number of other defendants, who were formally summoned in accordance with legal procedures.
He added that if the defendants fail to appear, the court issues formal notification under Syrian law granting a 10-day period, after which sessions will be held to hear witnesses, continue proceedings, listen to personal claims, review public testimony, and question the defendant in a public hearing.
Khattab noted that the case followed its legal course, beginning with Najib’s arrest by the Ministry of Interior, followed by initial investigations and evidence collection. The file was then referred to the Public Prosecution, which initiated public legal action under the penal code, before being transferred to the examining magistrate for transitional justice cases in Damascus.
The investigation included hearing testimonies from plaintiffs and witnesses, after which the case was referred to the indictment judge, who issued the charges and forwarded the file to the competent criminal court.
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.
M.Q.R
