Syria puts first Assad-era official on trial in Damascus
Summary
Syria has started the first public trial of officials from President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, focusing on Atef Najib, who was in charge of political security in Deraa in 2011. He faces charges related to violent actions against protesters during the uprising that led to the civil war, while other top officials, including al-Assad, are being tried in their absence.Key Facts
- Atef Najib, former head of political security in Deraa, is on trial in Damascus for crimes committed during the 2011 protests.
- Najib is President Assad’s cousin and the only defendant present in court so far.
- Charges include crimes against the Syrian people linked to a violent crackdown on protesters.
- President Assad and his brother Maher, along with other officials, face charges including killings, torture, and drug trafficking but are tried in absentia because they fled Syria.
- The 2011 protests were sparked by the arrest and torture of teenagers in Deraa who wrote anti-government graffiti.
- The crackdown on protests led to a 14-year civil war that ended in December 2024 with Assad being ousted and fleeing to Russia.
- The interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been criticized for delays in transitional justice but is now prosecuting officials linked to the former regime.
- Recently, Syrian authorities arrested Amjad Yousef, accused of involvement in a 2013 massacre where at least 41 people were killed.
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