Damascus Criminal Court: Life Imprisonment for the “Mufti of the Barrels”

Judge Fakhreddine Al-Aryan, during the sentencing hearing attended by several members of the judiciary and a representative of international legal and humanitarian organizations, stated, “The official religious establishment, headed by the Dar al-Ifta, was employed to provide religious cover for widespread killings using live ammunition and lethal weapons, as well as torture and sexual violence, and to justify these acts before public opinion. Among the acts attributed to it was its justification of the use of explosive barrels.”

The judge confirmed that the defendant, Hassan, received financial payments and in-kind gifts in order to secure the release of civilian detainees held by the ousted regime, noting that he periodically provided financial support to the leadership and members of Iran’s Quds Force, which committed serious violations against civilians.