Syria opens first public trial of Assad-era officials
Syria's first public trial of officials linked to former President Bashar al-Assad opened in Damascus on Sunday. Atef Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general and Assad's cousin, appeared at the Palace of Justice on charges of 'crimes against the Syrian people.' Najib headed the Political Security Branch in Daraa province in 2011 when teenagers were arrested and tortured for anti-government graffiti, sparking mass protests that escalated into a 14-year civil war. Assad fled to Russia in December 2024 after a rebel offensive. Assad, his brother Maher, and other former security officials were charged in absentia.
Key facts
- First public trial of Assad-era officials in Syria
- Atef Najib, former brigadier general and Assad's cousin, charged with crimes against the Syrian people
- Najib headed Political Security Branch in Daraa province in 2011
- Teenagers arrested and tortured for anti-government graffiti in Daraa in 2011
- The arrests catalyzed mass protests and a 14-year civil war
- Assad ousted in December 2024 and fled to Russia
- Assad, his brother Maher, and other officials charged in absentia
- Trial held at Palace of Justice in Damascus
Entities
Institutions
- Political Security Branch
- Syrian military's 4th Armored Division
- SANA
- Palace of Justice
Locations
- Syria
- Daraa
- Damascus
- Russia