Damascus court sentences former Assad regime mufti to life in prison
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Damascus Fourth Criminal Court on Monday sentenced Ahmad Hassoun, the former grand mufti of Syria, to life in prison after finding him guilty of crimes of incitement to violence and justifying killing.
The first trial session of Hassoun, the highest official Sunni Muslim religious authority in Syria under al-Assad regime, was held on June 25.
He was charged with several offenses, including exploiting his position as grand mufti for personal interests and maintaining extensive relationships outside the scope of official duties with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, former General Intelligence Directorate chief Ali Mamlouk, senior officials of al-Assad regime, and leaders of militias that fought in Syria.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan and attended by several members of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, as well as representatives of international legal and humanitarian organizations, according to SANA.
Hassoun was also accused of urging members and officers of the al-Assad regime to support it in confronting its opponents, among other charges.
On Aug. 11, the court issued an in-person death sentence against defendant Atef Najib and in absentia death sentences against fugitive former President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and five other fugitives, after finding them guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Last week, Damascus Fourth Criminal Court sentenced defendant Wassim al-Assad, Bashar’s cousin, to death and ordered the confiscation of his movable and immovable property after finding him guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes.