Syria Sentences Former Assad-Era Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun To Life In Prison

A Syrian court has sentenced former Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of crimes including inciting sectarian unrest and justifying murder during Bashar Assad's rule. Hassoun, who served as Syria's top Islamic cleric from 2005 to 2021, was known for his close support of Assad. He becomes the 10th Assad-era figure sentenced by Syria's new authorities as they pursue accountability for crimes committed during the country's civil war.

A Syrian court has sentenced Ahmad Hassoun, the country's former Grand Mufti under ousted President Bashar Assad, to life imprisonment for crimes committed during the Assad era.
Hassoun, 77, was found guilty of several offences, including inciting sectarian unrest and justifying murder, as Syria's new authorities continue efforts to hold senior figures from the former regime accountable.

COURT ACCUSES RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT OF JUSTIFYING ATTACKS

Judge Fakhreddine al-Aryan said the religious establishment under Assad had helped justify the use of barrel bombs against civilian areas.
The judge said such attacks caused widespread destruction and amounted to violations of international humanitarian law.
Hassoun's long association with Assad has made him a prominent target of the new authorities' efforts to examine the role of political, military and religious figures who supported the former government.

10TH ASSAD-ERA FIGURE TO BE SENTENCED

Hassoun is reportedly the 10th senior figure from the Assad era to receive a sentence since Syria's new authorities took control.
Earlier this month, former President Bashar Assad and his brother Maher Assad were sentenced to death in absentia over atrocities linked to the country's civil war.
Death sentences have also been handed down to Assad's cousins Atif Najib and Wassim al-Assad, who were tried in person.
The cases form part of a wider attempt by Syria's new leadership to address abuses committed during more than a decade of conflict.

CIVIL WAR LEFT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS DEAD

Syria's civil war began in 2011, after Assad's government violently suppressed protests demanding political change.
The conflict developed into a complex war involving government forces, opposition groups, extremist organisations and foreign powers.
More than 500,000 people were killed, while millions were displaced from their homes.
The conflict finally ended in December 2024, when an Islamist-led offensive toppled Assad's government. The former president fled Syria and is believed to be living in Russia.

SYRIANS WELCOME ACCOUNTABILITY

The latest convictions have been welcomed by Syrians who had criticised the new authorities for moving too slowly against officials associated with the former regime.
For many victims and families of those killed during the conflict, the prosecutions represent an important step toward accountability.
However, human rights organisations have warned that convictions alone are not enough.
Human Rights Watch has expressed concern about the speed and fairness of some of the trials, arguing that Syria needs an independent and impartial justice system capable of handling the enormous number of allegations arising from the war.

HASSOUN'S CLOSE TIES TO ASSAD

Hassoun served as Syria's top Islamic cleric from 2005 until 2021, when the position of Grand Mufti was abolished.
Born in Aleppo, he became known for his close relationship with Assad and was frequently seen alongside the former president during religious and official events.
His public support for the Assad government made him one of the most recognisable religious figures associated with the former regime.
Hassoun was arrested at Damascus Airport in March last year while reportedly attempting to leave the country.
His life sentence marks another significant development in Syria's difficult effort to confront the legacy of the Assad government and deliver justice after years of war.