Syria sentences former grand mufti to life in prison

Damascus, Syria – A Syrian court on Monday sentenced Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun, the country's former grand mufti, to life in prison. Hassoun, a senior religious figure during ousted President Bashar al-Assad's rule, was convicted of inciting violence and justifying murder, as well as abuse of office.

The verdict was issued by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, presided over by Judge Fakhreddine al-Aryan. The court found that the official religious establishment under Assad had provided cover for regime military operations, including the use of barrel bombs, in violation of international humanitarian law, according to state news agency Sana.

Hassoun served as grand mufti from 2005 to 2021, when the position was abolished. He was arrested at Damascus airport in March 2025 and has been in custody since. His trial began on June 25. He was present in court when the sentence was delivered.

Charges and sentence

The court convicted Hassoun of inciting violence, justifying killings, and abuse of office. In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered the confiscation of his moveable assets, as reported by Sana. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty.

According to BBC reporting, Hassoun received a life sentence for inciting civil war, 20 years for incitement to intentional killing, 10 years for principal participation, and 3 years for abuse of office.

The court found that the religious establishment under Hassoun was used to provide religious cover for military and security operations, including the dropping of barrel bombs on civilian areas, as reported by Sana. Judge al-Aryan said the establishment 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."

The court also found that Hassoun received money and gifts in exchange for intervening to secure the release of civilians detained by security agencies, and that he regularly provided financial support to the pro-regime militia Liwa al-Quds, according to Sana.

Background and context

Hassoun, born in Aleppo in 1949, served in parliament from 1990 to 1998 before being appointed grand mufti in 2005. He was known for using dehumanizing language against opponents of the government. Critics labeled him the "barrel-bomb mufti" for his fervent support of the regime, a term also used by some media outlets. His son was assassinated in 2011.

He was accused of inciting violence against civilians and refugees in opposition areas, supporting Russian and Iranian intervention in Syria, and praising regime figures involved in war crimes, including Qassem Soleimani and Brigadier General Issam Zahreddine. According to Amnesty International, Hassoun was deputised by al-Assad to approve prisoner executions in Sednaya prison, and between 2012 and 2017 he reportedly approved the executions of 13,000 inmates, as reported by The National.

In a 2011 televised speech, Hassoun threatened European countries, warning that Lebanon and Syria would respond by training their citizens to become suicide bombers. He also claimed that a passage in the Quran meant that God created mankind in Syria and blasted refugees who had fled the country, and threatened residents of Idlib governorate with death or displacement.

Broader trials

Hassoun's sentencing is part of a series of trials of Assad-era officials under Syria's new authorities. Earlier this month, former President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher were sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity. On 11 August, Assad, his brother Maher, and seven other former senior regime figures were convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death, according to BBC reporting. Atef Najib, a cousin of Assad and former head of the Political Security intelligence agency in Deraa, was tried in person and sentenced to death, as was Wassim Assad, another cousin and commander of a pro-regime militia.

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

Reactions and concerns

The sentences have been welcomed by many Syrians who had previously expressed frustration that the new government was not moving quickly enough against Assad-era officials. However, human rights groups have expressed concerns that the trials are being rushed and may be unfair.

The civil war in Syria, which began with mass anti-government protests in 2011 and a violent government crackdown, killed more than 600,000 people and displaced 12 million others, according to BBC reporting. Other sources cite about half a million dead and more than half of Syria's prewar population of 23 million displaced, as reported by AP and others.

The war ended with the ouster of Assad in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led insurgents in December 2024. Assad and his brother Maher fled to Russia. The United States rescinded its designation of Syria as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

Perspectives

Syrian authorities: The trials of former officials are part of a transitional justice process. President Ahmad Al Shara's government has been carrying out trials of Assad-era officials, most of whom have been sentenced to death, as reported by The National.

Human rights groups: Some groups have voiced concerns that the trials are being rushed and may not be fair, as reported by multiple outlets.

Syrian public: Many Syrians have welcomed the sentences, expressing frustration that the new government was not acting quickly enough against former regime figures, as reported by AP and Deutsche Welle.