A Syrian court on Monday handed a life sentence to Ahmad Hassoun, the country's former grand mufti under ex-President Bashar Assad.

The religious cleric, who vocally supported the regime's policies, was found guilty of a raft of crimes including inciting sectarian unrest and justifying murder.

Judge Fakhreddine al-Aryan said the official religious establishment under Assad had "justified the use of barrel bombs that targeted civilian areas and caused widespread destruction, which constitutes a violation of the rules of international humanitarian law."

A string of trials over civil war

Hassoun is the 10th Assad-era figure to be sentenced under Syria's new authorities.

Earlier this month, Assad himself and his brother Maher were sentenced to death in absentia for atrocities committed during Syria's civil war.

More than half a million people were killed and millions were displaced during the war, which began in 2011 following a crackdown on anti-government protesters. It ended in December 2024 with Assad's ouster in an offensive by Islamist-led militants. 

The former president fled Syria as his regime fell and is believed to be in Russia.

Rights groups raise concerns

Death sentences have also been handed to Bashar's cousins, Atif Najib and Wassim al-Assad, who were tried in person.

The sentences have been welcomed by Syrians who had previously criticized the new government for not moving fast enough to act against Assad-era officials. But human rights groups have voiced concerns that the trials are being rushed and may not be fair.

"Advancing justice for the litany of serious crimes committed in Syria requires more than just convictions, but building a system that can deliver competent, impartial, and independent justice," said Balkees Jarrah, the Middle East and North Africa director for Human Rights Watch.

Who is Ahmad Hassoun?

Hassoun, 77, held the position of Syria's top Islamic cleric from 2005 until 2021, when the position was abolished.

An Aleppo native, he was known for his close ties to Assad and was often seen at his side on religious occasions.

He was arrested at Damascus Airport in March last year while trying to flee the country.

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