The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on Monday sentenced former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun to life imprisonment, ordering the confiscation of all his movable and immovable assets. The ruling followed a six-session trial examining charges of inciting violence, justifying killing, and providing religious cover for the former regime’s policies.
The government framed the verdict as a landmark moment in Syria’s transitional justice process. Human rights organizations, however, raised concerns about transparency and fair-trial guarantees.
Life Sentence and Asset Seizure
Hassoun, who served as Grand Mufti from 2005 to 2021, received a presence-based life sentence, according to the official Syrian news agency (SANA). His property was ordered seized for the benefit of the public treasury.
SANA reported that the court convicted Hassoun of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in addition to charges of inciting violence, justifying murder, and exploiting his religious authority. The case examined his ties to security and military leaders and pro-regime militias, as well as his speeches delivered to regime troops and officers.
Hassoun was one of the most prominent religious figures defending Bashar al-Assad during the war, using his official position to endorse military operations. According to the Associated Press, the charges included inciting violence, justifying murder, and supporting the use of barrel bombs against civilian areas—stances that fueled controversy over his role in legitimizing state violence.
Sentence Reduced from Capital Punishment
The trial began on June 25 and unfolded over six sessions, during which the court reviewed the indictment, witness testimony, documents, and video evidence. At one point, the defense requested a technical review of the video material to verify its integrity—a request the court granted.
Independent reporting noted that the sessions explored Hassoun’s connections with security chiefs, military commanders, and loyalist militias, as well as evidence that he weaponized religious authority to reinforce regime power. In the penultimate session, the prosecution requested the death penalty. The court ultimately opted for a life sentence and asset confiscation.
The case is notable because it does not target a military official accused of issuing orders or carrying out killings, but rather a high-profile religious figure accused of using the pulpit, rhetoric, and symbolic authority to incite violence and rationalize atrocities.
A Test for Transitional Justice Amid Rights Concerns
The proceedings were not free of criticism. Human Rights Watch described the initial trials of former regime figures as a crucial test for Syria’s justice system. The organization noted the limited public information available about procedural details, despite allowing brief attendance for select media and civil society representatives.
Human Rights Watch urged authorities to publish written rulings, clarify the legal basis and evidence behind convictions, and ensure fair-trial standards. Genuine justice, the organization stressed, requires transparent procedures and an independent judiciary capable of holding perpetrators of grave international crimes accountable.
Hassoun’s sentencing therefore carries significance beyond the individual case. It serves as an early indicator of how Syria’s new authorities intend to handle transitional justice—balancing public demands for accountability with concerns that trials must not fall short of legal guarantees or transparency. That balance will be tested further as additional cases move toward the courts.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
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