Criminal Court refers Atef Najib case file for deliberation and verdict on Tuesday

 
Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA) The Fourth Criminal Court at the Justice Palace in Damascus on Tuesday referred the case file of Atef Najib, accused of committing crimes against the Syrian people, for review and verdict following the conclusion of the eighth hearing in the trial.
 
The court heard the statements of the Public Prosecution, the civil plaintiffs’ team and the defense, as well as the defendant’s final statement, and set the next hearing for Tuesday, August 11.
 
The session was chaired by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, with advisers Abdul Hamid al-Hamoud and Hossam Abdul Rahman serving as members of the panel. It was attended by Public Prosecution representative Judge Omar al-Radi, members of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, and representatives of international legal and humanitarian organizations.
 
During the hearing, the Public Prosecution requested the conviction of Atef Najib and the other defendants listed in the case file, including Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad and others who remain at large, on charges of murder, torture, arbitrary detention and misappropriation of public funds.
 
The Public Prosecution called for the maximum penalty, stating that the evidence presented in the case was consistent and interconnected.
 
The civil plaintiffs’ team requested that the defendants be convicted of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including systematic torture and repeated deprivation of liberty.
 
The team also requested convictions for intentional killing of multiple persons, the killing of children under the age of 15, killing accompanied by torture and extreme brutality, incitement to murder, and torture resulting in death.
 
It further requested the imposition of the most severe criminal penalties stipulated under Syrian law and mandatory international legal provisions due to the seriousness of the alleged acts, including a death sentence by hanging.
 
The civil plaintiffs’ team also requested that the defendants be held jointly liable for civil compensation covering material and moral damages suffered by the claimants, with the amount to be determined by the court.
 
The State Attorney submitted a two-page memorandum to the court panel, while the defense submitted a 12-page written memorandum requesting the precise application of the law.
 
Before unanimously deciding to adjourn the hearing until Tuesday, August 11, to complete judicial procedures, the court heard Najib’s final statement and incorporated it into his previous testimony. The defendant requested justice and fairness from the court.
 
The previous hearing, held on July 28, was dedicated to hearing testimony from a witness requested by the defense, who provided statements before the court as part of judicial evidence procedures.
 
Atef Najib, a cousin of Bashar al-Assad, head of the ousted regime, previously served as head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa Governorate. He faces charges including killing, torture and arbitrary detention, participation in the suppression of peaceful protests using live ammunition, direct responsibility for the Al-Omari Mosque massacre, and allegations of systematic mass killings and torture of detainees resulting in death inside detention centers.
 
The first hearing of Najib’s trial was held on April 26 as part of judicial proceedings aimed at uncovering the truth, ensuring justice for victims and holding those responsible accountable in accordance with legal procedures.
 
The proceedings form part of efforts to address past violations through judicial mechanisms and advance justice and accountability.

kA.MF