A landmark legal process began on Sunday as Syria opened its first transitional justice trial in the capital. Major General Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, appeared in the dock at the Palace of Justice.
Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian presided over the session in a freshly decorated courtroom on the third floor. Najib, the former political security chief in Daraa, faces charges including murder and ordering the shooting of protesters.
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Legal proceedings and charges
The hearing focused on administrative formalities and identifying the parties involved in the complex case. Prosecutors stated that Najib could face the death penalty under existing Syrian laws for his alleged crimes. He is accused of leading the crackdown in Daraa that sparked the 2011 uprising against the regime.
The court also named several defendants who remain fugitives, including Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher. These absent individuals will be tried in absentia if they fail to appear for future sessions.
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Victims demand accountability
Dozens of families from Daraa attended the session to testify about the loss of their loved ones. Many plaintiffs recounted stories of arbitrary detention, torture, and the killing of children during the Assad era.
Outside the building, security forces in black uniforms managed a large crowd of angry demonstrators. Protesters constructed makeshift gallows and held placards demanding the execution of the former security official. Human rights lawyers described the day as a victory for those seeking justice after years of war.
Judge Al-Arian, a former dissident once sentenced to death by the regime, called this a new phase. The court adjourned the brief session until 10 May to allow for further legal preparations.
Disclaimer: Jenova AI was used in the writing process.
Image via Syria Direct.
