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Syria Holds First Public Trial of Regime Officials In Absentia

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Syria held its first public trial of former regime officials in Damascus, drawing crowds outside the courthouse.
Atef Najib faced crimes-against-people charges as President Bashar al-Assad and Maher al-Assad were tried in absentia.
Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the hearing starts Syria’s transitional justice while police secured the courtroom as supporters waved flags.
The government set a May 10 hearing to try officials, including Wassim Assad and former grand mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun.

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Story summary

Syria held its first public trial of former regime officials in Damascus, drawing crowds outside the courthouse.
Atef Najib faced crimes-against-people charges as President Bashar al-Assad and Maher al-Assad were tried in absentia.
Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the hearing starts Syria’s transitional justice while police secured the courtroom as supporters waved flags.
The government set a May 10 hearing to try officials, including Wassim Assad and former grand mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun.