Syrian Ministry of Justice Denies Issuance of Death Sentences Against Former Officials
The Syrian Ministry of Justice categorically denied on Thursday the news circulating on social media that claimed death sentences had been issued against several former officials of the fallen regime, including former Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun.
The media office of the ministry confirmed to the Syrian News Agency (SANA) that "the names mentioned in the rumors are still under investigation and trial, and no judicial ruling has been issued against them so far."
The statement issued by the ministry clarified that "the circulating news is not based on any official source," urging media outlets and the public to "verify the accuracy and objectivity in reporting judicial news, and to rely only on statements issued by the relevant official authorities."
Social media had witnessed the circulation of information claiming that death sentences had been issued against four of the most prominent officials of the previous regime, namely: Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun (former Mufti), Ibrahim Hweijeh (former head of Air Force Intelligence), Mohammad al-Shaar (former Minister of Interior), and Atef Najib (former head of Political Security in Daraa).
It is worth mentioning that the Attorney General of the Republic, Judge Counselor Hassan al-Turba, announced on July 30 that "a public lawsuit has been initiated against Najib, Hassoun, al-Shaar, and Hweijeh, accusing them of committing crimes and serious violations against the Syrian people."
The decision to initiate the lawsuit, according to the official announcement at the time, was "within the framework of the transitional justice process adopted by the new Syrian state, aimed at holding the perpetrators accountable and ensuring the rights of the victims and their families."
