Ministry of Justice Tightens Procedures for Transferring Property Owned by Former Regime Figures
The Syrian Ministry of Justice issued a circular on Sunday, April 19, tightening procedures for real estate transactions involving individuals linked to the former regime. The directive instructs judges to conduct field inspections and question property occupants in order to curb what the Ministry described as “sham sales” aimed at smuggling assets.
According to the Ministry, the circular seeks to safeguard state rights, protect affected individuals, and prevent manipulation of public funds under stricter judicial oversight.
New Requirements for Judges
The circular outlines several steps that judges overseeing lawsuits related to real estate sales or ownership transfers must follow. These include:
- Conducting on-site inspections and technical assessments of the properties in question, regardless of whether the lawsuit is based on an admission of sale or other grounds, and regardless of the defendant’s presence.
- Verifying who occupies the property and questioning them about the nature of their occupancy.
- Ensuring that the properties are not owned by former regime cronies attempting to transfer ownership through fraudulent means.
The Ministry also instructed judges to report any suspected cases of property smuggling, including the names of those involved, so that legal action can be taken.
The Judicial Inspection Directorate and Attorneys General were directed to monitor compliance with the circular and report any violations.
Attempts to Smuggle Real Estate
The Ministry said it has documented attempts by former regime figures—and individuals implicated in crimes against Syrians—to transfer properties registered in their names or the names of relatives through fabricated transactions. These attempts often rely on court rulings that approve ownership transfers based on “admission of sale.”
Such practices, the Ministry stated, undermine the rights of the state and of Syrians harmed by the former regime, particularly their right to fair compensation.
The Ministry recalled issuing a similar circular on April 28, 2025, which required courts to seek testimony from neighbors selected by the court to help identify property owners. Another circular issued the same day instructed civil courts to send case files to the Public Prosecution in lawsuits involving individuals under investigation, cases affecting public funds, or assets suspected of being acquired illegally.
Compiling Lists of Former Regime Affiliates
Also on Sunday, the Ministries of Interior and Justice held a joint working session to establish a unified methodology for preparing lists of individuals linked to the former regime.
The Ministry of Interior said the meeting focused on mechanisms for compiling and verifying names using precise legal criteria to ensure accuracy before the information is submitted to judicial authorities. Participants also discussed the legal and procedural frameworks needed to build organized databases and prepare comprehensive legal files ahead of potential judicial action.
The session emphasized coordination between relevant institutions and included the Minister of Interior, Anas Khattab, the Minister of Justice, Mazhar al-Wais, and legal experts from both ministries. A delegation from the Transitional Justice Commission, headed by Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, also attended as part of efforts to “advance the path of justice and strengthen the rule of law.”
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.
The post Ministry of Justice Tightens Procedures for Transferring Property Owned by Former Regime Figures first appeared on The Syrian Observer.
