Syrian Court Sentences Former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun to Life Imprisonment for War Crimes
A Damascus court has sentenced Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, Syria's former grand mufti under the Bashar al-Assad regime, to life in prison for crimes committed during the country's 14-year civil war. The Fourth Criminal Court ruled that Hassoun was guilty of inciting violence, justifying killings, and abusing his office to provide religious cover for military operations. Judge Fakhreddine al-Aryan noted that Hassoun's teachings justified the use of barrel bombs that caused widespread destruction, violating international humanitarian law. In addition to the life sentence, Hassoun received several other terms ranging from three to 20 years for specific charges such as inciting sectarian strife and intentional homicide. The court also ordered the confiscation of his assets for the state treasury and barred him from any amnesty. This verdict marks the first trial of a religious figure under the new authorities, following death sentences handed to Bashar al-Assad and his relatives. While many Syrians welcomed the swift justice, some human rights groups expressed concern regarding the speed and impartiality of the trials.