In Syria, they settle the score with Assad's men — but with an unexpected twist

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria under Bashar al-Assad, to life imprisonment for incitement to violence, justifying killings, and war crimes. The prosecution had demanded the death penalty, but the court imposed life imprisonment and confiscated his assets. The trial is part of the transitional justice process against former regime officials.

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, who served as the Grand Mufti of Syria during the rule of Bashar al-Assad, to life imprisonment on Monday, August 24. Hassoun was convicted of a series of serious offenses, including incitement to violence, justifying killings, exploiting his position, and crimes defined as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court determined that Hassoun was involved in acts intended to incite civil war and sectarian conflict, and provided ongoing financial support to militias operating alongside Assad's regime forces. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the confiscation of his assets. The proceedings against Hassoun began on June 25 and lasted six hearings. The prosecution sought the death penalty, but the court imposed life imprisonment. The trial is part of the "transitional justice" process promoted by the new authorities in Syria against senior officials and members of the former regime's apparatus.