Damascus, Aug. 18 (SANA) The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on Tuesday outlined the findings behind its death sentence against Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of ousted regime head Bashar al-Assad, for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Eastern Ghouta.
The court sentenced al-Assad to death at the sixth hearing of his trial and ordered the confiscation of his movable and immovable assets after fulfilling civil compensation obligations. The hearing was chaired by head of the court Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan.
Court findings
The court established al-Assad’s involvement in forming and supervising armed auxiliary groups that participated in military operations in Eastern Ghouta, particularly al-Malihah, between 2012 and 2014.
According to the ruling, al-Assad formed two groups affiliated with auxiliary forces, supplied them with weapons, ammunition, food and financial support, and supervised their operations through field commanders.
The groups participated in operations following bombardment of civilian areas, taking control of positions, preventing residents from returning and looting property.
Al-Aryan said the court found evidence of intentional killing, torture, deprivation of liberty and other acts classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The ruling established that dozens of civilians were killed in the 2013 al-Malihah massacre following air and artillery bombardment. The court found that al-Assad and groups under his supervision formed part of a broader criminal project involving systematic violations against civilians.
Ruling and other charges
The court convicted al-Assad of offenses including intentional killing, torture, unlawful detention and crimes related to attacks on civilians.
He was also convicted of causing permanent disability and fraud and received additional prison terms and fines, with the court ordering implementation of the most severe sentence.
The court preserved the rights of victims and their families to pursue legal claims and maintained witness protection measures.
Al-Assad was acquitted of drug trafficking and smuggling charges due to insufficient evidence. The ruling noted that no narcotics were seized from him and no laboratory analysis was conducted to establish the charges.
Transitional justice officials assess ruling
The National Commission for Transitional Justice (NCTJ) said the sentence against al-Assad represents a key pillar in strengthening the rule of law and implementing transitional justice mechanisms in accordance with international standards and national safeguards.
In a statement on Telegram, the commission said it would continue following judicial cases to ensure justice for victims, document the facts and combat impunity.
Radif Mustafa, director of the commission’s Accountability Department at the NCTJ, told SANA that the sentence was “fair and just” and proportionate to the scale of the crimes for which al-Assad was convicted.
Mustafa said the court applied two main standards: international law governing crimes against humanity and war crimes, and Syrian law.
He said al-Assad provided no substantial information during the trial that could help establish the responsibility or roles of other defendants, leaving no basis for mitigating circumstances. The court also rejected his plea for clemency because of the scale of the crimes.
Mustafa said international law determines the legal classification and gravity of such crimes, while penalties are governed by national law. He described the ruling as part of an ongoing judicial process in which responsibility is determined by the acts and evidence established against each defendant.
Al-Assad’s trial began June 24 on charges including forming and managing irregular armed groups and participating in operations targeting civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta.
Mustafa said accountability is essential to stability, civil peace, reparations and truth, adding that rulings by courts handling transitional justice cases strengthen both transitional justice and the rule of law.
F.J./MF
