Damascus Court Set for Verdict in Waseem Assad Trial
The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus is scheduled to hold its sixth and final session today, Tuesday, to conduct a formal review and deliver a verdict in the case of Waseem Assad. The defendant stands accused of committing grave crimes against the Syrian people, marking a significant development in the ongoing judicial proceedings aimed at holding individuals accountable for actions perpetrated during the previous era.
Assad was apprehended on June 21, 2025, near the Syrian-Lebanese border in a joint operation conducted by internal security forces and the General Intelligence Directorate. The arrest is part of a broader, state-led effort to bring perpetrators of past abuses to justice. Authorities have emphasized that the judicial process is intended to be transparent and impartial, ensuring that the rights of victims are upheld.
The trial is being presided over by Judge Fakhreddine Al-Aryan, with advisors Abdul Hamid Al-Hammoud and Hossam Abdul Rahman, and prosecutor Omar Al-Radi. The legal proceedings have unfolded over several months, with each session focusing on critical aspects of the charges against the defendant.
During the initial hearing on June 24, 2026, the prosecution presented a comprehensive indictment that included charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Key accusations involve the formation of irregular armed groups linked to the Fourth Division, participation in military actions that resulted in civilian casualties in Eastern Ghouta and Jaramana, as well as charges related to drug trafficking, extortion, and incitement to violence. Although the defendant denied these allegations, the court presented video evidence documenting his involvement in combat operations.
Subsequent sessions were dedicated to the testimony of witnesses. During the July 15 hearing, a customs broker testified regarding incidents of financial extortion, threats, and arbitrary detention allegedly carried out by the defendant to secure large sums of money. The following sessions, which were held behind closed doors, allowed the court to examine additional evidence and evaluate the testimonies provided by witnesses for the public prosecution.
In late July, the court authorized a forensic medical examination for one of the complainants, who alleged direct physical harm caused by the defendant. The report, presented during the August 5 session, confirmed that the victim suffered a permanent 35% functional disability and ten months of incapacity. Following this, both the prosecution and legal representatives for the victims requested the maximum penalty of capital punishment. After the defense concluded its closing arguments and requested leniency, the court scheduled today’s session for the final verdict.
This trial follows recent judicial actions in Damascus, where the court issued death sentences against Atif Najib and in absentia against several other prominent figures, including Bashar and Maher Assad, for their roles in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
