Syria: Justice Ministry Responds to Amnesty International, Confirms Legality of Death Sentences - Sarmad

The Syrian Ministry of Justice responded to criticisms by Amnesty International regarding the death sentences handed down against former President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, Wafiq Najib, and other figures linked to the former regime.

The ministry stated that the trials were conducted before a civil criminal court in accordance with legal guarantees, and were based on facts, evidence, and judicial files, while safeguarding the rights of the defense, as well as the avenues for appeal and objection.

Amnesty International had called for the cancellation of the in absentia trials and the death penalty, and for the criminalization of core crimes covered by international law. The organization opposes the death penalty in all cases and advocates that prosecutions be carried out within a comprehensive victim-centered strategy. Meanwhile, the Syrian Ministry of Justice emphasized that holding officials accountable for violations does not mean bypassing constitutional and legal guarantees or diminishing the rights of the accused.

The Fourth Court of Assizes had previously sentenced Wafiq Najib to death in person, and Bashar and Maher al-Assad, along with several officials from the former regime, to death in absentia.