Damascus, Aug. 24 (SANA) The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus is holding its sixth session Monday to review the case and issue a verdict against Ahmad Hassoun, who is accused of incitement to violence, justification of killing and abuse of office.
The proceedings are part of Syria’s transitional justice process aimed at holding accountable those involved in crimes committed during the rule of the ousted regime.
The trial is being presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, with judges Abdul Hamid al-Hamoud and Hossam Abdul Rahman serving on the panel and Judge Omar al-Radi representing the Public Prosecution.
The first session, held on June 25, included the reading of a comprehensive indictment accusing Hassoun of exploiting his position as mufti to establish extensive relations outside official channels with the head of the ousted regime, security and military officials and leaders of sectarian militias.
The indictment also accused him of delivering inflammatory lectures to members of the ousted regime’s army urging them to suppress civilians in areas that had risen against the regime, making media statements inciting against civilians and refugees, publicly supporting officers implicated in war crimes, and backing Russian and Iranian intervention in Syria.
During the second session on July 16, the court heard prosecution witnesses behind closed doors as part of evidentiary proceedings, while ensuring the defense’s right to challenge their testimony in accordance with legal guarantees.
At the third session on July 23, the prosecution submitted its legal memorandum and video evidence. Hassoun’s lawyer submitted a defense memorandum and requested a technical examination of the videos to verify their authenticity, which the court approved.
During the fourth session on July 30, prosecution witnesses testified about alleged financial extortion and abuse of influence by Hassoun. One witness said he and his family had been repeatedly extorted following his sister’s detention and had paid money and provided goods in exchange for Hassoun’s intervention.
At the fifth session on August 6, the court heard closing arguments from the Public Prosecution, plaintiffs and defense, as well as Hassoun’s final statement. The prosecutor requested the maximum penalty — death — while the defense lawyer sought additional time to submit a final memorandum.
Internal Security Forces arrested Hassoun in March 2025 as part of state efforts to pursue individuals accused of violations.
The Fourth Criminal Court last Tuesday sentenced Wassim al-Assad to death and ordered the confiscation of his movable and immovable assets after convicting him of crimes against humanity and war crimes against the Syrian people.
On August 11, the same court also handed down a death sentence in the presence of defendant Atef Najib and death sentences in absentia against fugitives Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad and five others after convicting them of murder, torture, deprivation of liberty, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Iman Alzuheiri/M.F
