Second Sessions of Wasim al-Assad War Crimes Trial Begin in Damascus

The fourth criminal court in Damascus opened the second sessions of the trial of Wasim al‑Assad, a former senior militia commander accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the previous Syrian regime. The hearings, chaired by Judge Fakhreddin Mustafa Al‑Arian, included testimony from public witnesses, documentary evidence, photos and video recordings.

The indictment alleges that al‑Assad organized and led non‑state armed groups that carried out attacks on civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta, notably the town of al‑Malha, resulting in large civilian casualties. It also accuses him of involvement in a killing in Jaramana, participation in massacres, public incitement to violence, drug‑trafficking, and extortion. The court is proceeding alongside a separate trial of Atif Najeeb, another former official, as part of Syria's transitional justice process.

The proceedings are being observed by representatives of national and international human‑rights organisations, reflecting continued efforts to document and prosecute alleged atrocities from the former regime.