Afət Ziyadqızı
The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus has issued a death sentence against Wasim Assad, a relative of the Syrian leadership, for his involvement in severe criminal activities.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the court found Wasim Assad guilty of charges including premeditated murder, torture, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, resulting in the capital punishment verdict.
Investigative materials revealed that Wasim Assad, acting under the directives of Brigadier General Giyas Dalan, established illegal armed formations. These groups were implicated in massacres against civilians in the Eastern Ghouta region, particularly in the town of Meliha, as well as involvement in kidnappings and murders across various territories.
In addition to the death sentence, the court ordered the confiscation of all of Wasim Assad's assets for the state treasury. Reports indicate that during the Bashar al-Assad regime, he also engaged in kidnapping for ransom and drug trafficking through the armed groups under his control.
This ruling is viewed as part of a broader trend of Syrian courts issuing stringent verdicts against figures associated with the former power structures. It follows a significant legal development on August 11, when a court reportedly issued death sentences against Bashar al-Assad and his brother, Maher al-Assad, alongside other high-ranking officials, including Atif Najib.
The Syrian judicial system has recently seen a series of high-profile trials aimed at addressing the atrocities committed during the country's protracted civil war, which began in 2011. These legal proceedings reflect ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for human rights violations and war crimes that occurred during the conflict.
