Syria: Life imprisonment for Ahmad Hassoun, mufti of the Assad regime

- On charges of inciting violence, justifying murder, and abusing his position

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued a life imprisonment sentence today, Monday, against Ahmad Hassoun, the former Grand Mufti of the Assad regime.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Fakhreddine Al-Aryan stated that evidence indicated the official religious establishment, headed by the Dar al-Ifta, was instrumentalized under the ousted regime to provide religious cover for military and security operations and to justify them to public opinion.

He added that the official religious establishment under the ousted regime justified the use of explosive barrels targeting civilian areas, causing widespread destruction, in violation of the rules of international humanitarian law.

Al-Aryan clarified that the defendant provided regular financial support to the leadership and members of the Quds Brigade, which participated in military operations, noting that Hassoun’s involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes had been established.

The court convicted Hassoun of the felony of aggression that caused civil war and sectarian conflict, sentencing him to life imprisonment.

The court also ordered the seizure and confiscation of the convicted man’s movable and immovable assets for the benefit of the public treasury.