Waseem al-Assad faces war crimes trial in Damascus

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus began hearing the case of Waseem al‑Assad, a cousin of the former Syrian president, on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and a range of other offences. The indictment alleges that he helped form and finance illegal armed groups that took part in large‑scale attacks on civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta, including the town of al‑Milha, and that he was involved in massacres, the killing of a civilian in Jermana, extortion, kidnapping and drug trafficking. The session was chaired by Judge Fakhri al‑Din Mustafa al‑Arian and attended by Attorney General Hassane al‑Turba, prosecutors, and representatives of national and international human‑rights organisations. Waseem al‑Assad denied the accusations. The ministry of justice halted the live broadcast of the proceedings, citing witness‑protection measures, and the trial is proceeding in closed sessions. He was arrested on 21 June 2025 at the Syrian‑Lebanese border in a joint operation with the General Intelligence Directorate. The case is part of Syria’s broader transitional‑justice process that has seen several former regime figures brought before the courts.