Syrian Justice Ministry Defends Judicial Rulings Against Officials
The Syrian Ministry of Justice has issued a formal response to recent criticisms leveled by Amnesty International regarding judicial proceedings held in Damascus on Tuesday. In a statement disseminated via its official channels, the Ministry rejected claims that the trials, which involved high-profile figures, lacked adherence to international human rights standards or constitutional guarantees.
The Ministry emphasized that the proceedings were conducted before a specialized criminal court, overseen by qualified judges with the participation of victims and their representatives. According to the Ministry, the process strictly followed the provisions of Syrian law, upholding the right to a defense and providing avenues for appeal and objection. Officials maintained that the rulings were based on substantive evidence, files, and legal facts, rather than political motivations or arbitrary decision-making.
Addressing concerns regarding the use of capital punishment and trials held in absentia, the Ministry stated that such measures are within the framework of the Syrian penal code. It asserted that the death penalty is only issued following rigorous legal evaluation and that the implementation of such sentences is subject to strictly defined legal oversight. Furthermore, the Ministry clarified that trials in absentia are permitted under Syrian law when specific conditions are met and do not, in themselves, invalidate the justice of the proceedings or the legitimacy of the outcomes.
The statement underscored that the ongoing judicial reform within the country is part of a broader national initiative aimed at strengthening the independence of the judiciary, ensuring fair trial guarantees, and maintaining public confidence in state institutions. The Ministry described the pursuit of accountability for past crimes as a moral and legal obligation, one that the state is committed to fulfilling without resorting to vengeance or politicized retribution.
According to the Ministry, the recent verdicts have been met with broad support from various segments of the Syrian public, who view the accountability process as a significant step toward achieving justice and acknowledging the grievances of victims. The Ministry noted that it remains open to dialogue with international human rights organizations regarding the development of the justice system but reiterated that the evaluation of judicial procedures and the adjudication of cases remain exclusively within the mandate of the Syrian judiciary, in accordance with the Constitution and national law.
The public response from the Ministry followed a decision by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, presided over by Judge Fakhreddine Al-Aryan. The court issued death sentences against several defendants, including Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad, and Atif Najib, following their conviction on charges including homicide, torture, deprivation of liberty, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The court also dismissed the public law case against defendant Mohammed Ayman Ayoush following his reported death.
