Syria Opens Transitional Justice Court, Begins Trial Of 'Imminent' Assad-Era Figures From Sunday

ISTANBUL, April 26 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Syria's Ministry of Justice said on Saturday that it has opened a criminal court dedicated to transitional justice in Damascus, paving the way for “imminent” trials of figures linked to former President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. 

The ministry shared a video on the US social media company

During the visit, al-Wais said the court “will witness trials of those responsible for serious violations and members of the former regime,” adding: “We hope the trials will be fair.”

The ministry did not specify when the trials would begin or which individuals would be prosecuted.

However, a plaintiff from the southern city of Daraa told Anadolu that he had been summoned to appear before the court on Sunday.

The plaintiff, who requested anonymity, said he had been called to testify against Atef Najib, a former brigadier in the ousted regime and a cousin of Assad, who faces accusations of committing crimes against civilians. He said Najib is accused of killing one of his brothers.

Several other plaintiffs are expected to attend the hearing, including Murad Mohammad Khair Abu Nabut, Sanaa al-Sheikh al-Sagha, Hosni Abdul Rahim al-Rabdawi, Bilal Muslih Ayyash, and Noha Abdul Aziz al-Masri, he added.

A list of plaintiffs obtained by Anadolu also includes two witnesses, Amjad Mamdouh al-Mahamid and Ahmad Hosni al-Jawabreh, who are expected to testify.

The plaintiff said the court informed them that Sunday's session would focus on Najib, although lawyers told him other figures may also be tried, both in person and in absentia, without naming them.

Syrian activists on social media said the trials are expected to be public, though there has been no official confirmation.

In late January 2025, Syrian security forces arrested Najib, who previously headed the political security branch in Daraa and is accused of involvement in war crimes against civilians, including children, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Najib gained notoriety at the outbreak of the Syrian uprising in Daraa on March 18, 2011, following the arrest and torture of children for writing anti-regime slogans on walls.

He was later placed under US sanctions on April 29, 2011, and EU sanctions on May 9 of the same year.

Ten Dec 8, 2024, Syrian opposition factions took control of Damascus, ending more than six decades of Baath Party rule and over five decades of Assad family rule.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU