Life imprisonment for former Grand Mufti of the Assad era in Syria

The verdict has been announced in the trial of Ahmed Hassoun, the former Grand Mufti of the era of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad in Syria. The 4th Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Hassoun to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The court's decision stated that Hassoun used religious institutions to provide legitimacy to violence and justified the use of barrel bombs that targeted civilian areas and caused heavy destruction. Hassoun was also convicted on charges of "inciting attacks that led to civil war and sectarian conflict."

Along with the verdict, it was ordered that all of Hassoun's movable and immovable assets be confiscated and transferred to the public treasury.

Announcing the decision at the 6th hearing of the case, Presiding Judge Fahreddin al-Eriyan stated that the examinations in the trial process had been completed. Members of the National Transitional Justice Commission and representatives of international law and human rights organizations also attended the hearing.

Al-Eriyan stated that the investigation and evidence revealed that official religious institutions during the Assad era, particularly the Fatwa Department, were used to provide a religious cover for military and security operations.

The court also noted that it was determined that Hassoun provided regular financial support to the command staff and members of the Liwa al-Quds, which participated in military operations. Trials against high-ranking figures of the former administration continue in Syria following the fall of Assad.

News Source: 12punto