Damascus, June 24 (SANA) The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on Wednesday opened the first trial session of defendant Wassim al-Assad, who is involved in multiple crimes committed against the Syrian people during the rule of the deposed regime.
The court session was presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din Mustafa al-Aryan, with judges Abdul Hamid al-Hammoud and Hossam Abdul Rahman serving on the panel. Public Prosecutor Omar Mahmoud al-Radi represented the prosecution.
During the hearing, Judge al-Aryan read the charges against Wassim al-Assad, which include leading and organizing irregular armed groups operating under the command of Brig. Gen. Ghiath Dalla, a commander in the deposed regime’s Fourth Division led by Maher al-Assad.
According to the indictment, the groups took part in military operations in Eastern Ghouta, particularly in the town of al-Mleiha, that targeted civilian areas and resulted in civilian deaths. Prosecutors also accuse al-Assad of involvement in a killing in Jaramana, participation in massacres committed during those operations, public incitement to violence, drug trafficking and smuggling, as well as robbery and extortion.
The judge said the alleged acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, in addition to violations of the Syrian Penal Code.
The hearing comes one day after the same court held its fourth session in the case against criminal Atef Najib, one of the most prominent figures of the deposed regime, who is also involved in crimes committed against the Syrian people.
The trials are part of broader efforts by the Syrian state to establish a justice system aimed at preventing the recurrence of violations suffered by Syrians. These efforts include holding those responsible for crimes accountable, providing redress for victims and documenting key events in the country’s history.
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