Assad-era’s grand mufti sentenced to life in prison by court in Damascus
The court also ordered confiscation of his assets after convicting the former top Muslim cleric of inciting civil war and sectarian strife.
- On Monday, the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Syria's former grand mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun to life in prison, convicting him of "inciting civil war and sectarian strife" and exploiting his 16-year tenure.
- Hassoun, a close ally of ousted President Bashar Assad, was also convicted of "incitement to intentional homicide" and "principal complicity in intentional homicide." His frequent public appearances alongside Assad fueled the charges.
- This sentencing marks the 10th conviction of an Assad-era official since trials began in April. Unlike many others tried in absentia, Hassoun was in custody and present in the courtroom during proceedings.
- Human Rights Watch warned on Sunday that the sentences "raise important legal issues the government should urgently address." Director Balkees Jarrah emphasized building impartial, independent justice systems beyond convictions alone.
- While some human rights groups worry about rushed trials, many Syrians have welcomed the sentences amid frustration over slow accountability. The country recovers from a nearly 14-year civil war that killed about half a million people.
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34 Articles
In Syria, the former Islamic religious leader Ahmad Hassun has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
In Syria, the 4th High Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Ahmed Bedreddin Hassun, who served as the Grand Mufti of Syria under Bashar al-Assad's regime, to life imprisonment.
My Mother Lode
The Seattle TimesAssad-era’s grand mufti sentenced to life in prison by court in Damascus
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A former Islamic religious leader was sentenced to life in prison on Monday in the latest Syrian court trial of officials affiliated with the rule of ex-President Bashar Assad. Former grand mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, an Assad loyalist who was vocally in support of the government’s policies, was convicted of inciting...
Convictions of key figures in the Assad regime in Syria continue as part of transitional justice after its fall – Ahmed Hassoun's relations with the regime, the army and the militias
The Syrian courts sentenced on Monday the former Muftiu Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun, who served under President Bashar al-Assad, to life imprisonment for incitement to confessional hatred and abuse of power, reports AFP.
A Damascus court on Monday sentenced Ahmed Badreddine Hassoun, the former Grand Mufti of the Assad regime, to life imprisonment for inciting sectarian hatred and abusing his position. Present to hear his sentence, the religious leader had been arrested at the airport in March 2025 while attempting to leave the country.
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