The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus began on Wednesday the first session of the trial of Wassim al-Assad , who faces charges related to drug trafficking and committing several crimes during the era of the former Syrian regime, in the presence of the Attorney General of the Republic, Hassan al-Turba, and representatives of national and international human rights organizations.
The session was presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din Mustafa al-Aryan, who read the indictment against Wassim al-Assad, cousin of the ousted former regime leader Bashar al-Assad. The charges included managing and forming irregular armed groups, commissioned by Brigadier General Ghiath Dalla, commander of a brigade in the Fourth Division of the defunct regime, led by Maher al-Assad, since the beginning of 2011. These groups participated in large-scale military operations targeting civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta, particularly the town of al-Maliha, resulting in the deaths of a large number of civilians. He was also charged with responsibility for a murder in Jaramana, involvement in massacres that occurred during these operations, public incitement to violence, involvement in drug smuggling and trafficking, and committing robbery and extortion.
The judge pointed out that these acts fall under the category of war crimes and crimes against humanity, in addition to violating the provisions of the Syrian Penal Code.
After the indictment was read, the live broadcast of the trial was stopped. The Ministry of Justice explained that this was part of the witness protection program, while the trial session continued and all judicial procedures were completed normally without being broadcast live, in order to preserve the confidentiality of the testimonies and the safety of those involved in the case.
Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar Al-Wais confirmed today that the trial of Wassim Al-Assad, a relative of ousted regime leader Bashar Al-Assad, is merely a step in a comprehensive and integrated national process.
The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted Minister Al-Awais as saying, “We are moving at an accelerated pace towards establishing justice, accountability and restoring rights, and we are working with determination and responsibility to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people.”
He added: “Our pledge is that justice will remain a constant approach, and that state institutions will proceed with confidence and determination towards building a state of law and institutions.”
The Syrian Interior Ministry announced on June 21st the arrest of Wassim al-Assad on the Syrian-Lebanese border in a well-executed security operation in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate.
Wassim al-Assad (46 years old) is a cousin of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad, and is known as one of the most prominent figures accused of trafficking and smuggling Captagon drugs to neighboring countries during the era of the previous regime. He is also subject to American and European sanctions.
He was arrested by the Syrian authorities on June 21, 2025, as part of campaigns to pursue those accused of committing crimes during the era of the former regime.
In this context, SANA quoted the Director of Media and Communication at the Ministry of Justice, Baraa Abdul Rahman, as saying that Thursday will witness the holding of the first session of the trial of Ahmed Hassoun, the former Grand Mufti of the Republic.
Abdul Rahman explained that Hassoun faces charges related to inciting, through fatwas, the killing of Syrians during the popular uprising that began in 2011.
He stressed that the judicial proceedings against the accused are proceeding in accordance with legal regulations, ensuring accountability and justice for the victims, in line with the principles of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
The new Syrian authorities say that, as part of achieving transitional justice, the Syrian judiciary continues to conduct trials against those accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Syrian people during the era of the ousted regime. The trial of “Atef Najib” began on April 26, as part of a process aimed at uncovering the truth, providing justice for the victims, and holding those involved accountable according to judicial procedures.
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