Syria holds first trial of former regime relative Uasim al‑Assad

A Syrian court opened the first trial of Uasim al‑Assad, the cousin of ousted President Bashar al‑Assad. He was detained in June 2025 near the Lebanon border and is accused of numerous crimes against the Syrian people, including forming militias, torture, kidnapping and drug trafficking. The opening session took place at the Damascus Justice Palace. Ministry of Interior spokesperson Nurredín al Baba said the operation that captured him was precise and that authorities have documentary evidence, adding that further charges may emerge. Uasim is suspected of directing irregular armed groups under commander Guiaz Dala, previously linked to Maher al‑Assad, Bashar’s brother. The trial is part of a transitional‑justice process after the Assad regime fell and the former president fled to Russia in December 2024. In May 2025, the Syrian presidency created two commissions to address reparations and missing‑persons cases, though critics say they ignore crimes by opposition groups.