A Syrian court has sentenced Ahmed Hassoun, the former grand mufti appointed during the Assad era, to life in prison. The conviction includes charges of inciting civil war and complicity in intentional killing, according to state media.
The court found that Hassoun's office provided religious justification for military and security operations during the civil war that began in 2011. Prosecutors accused him of inciting violence against civilians and supporting the regime through religious lectures, public meetings, and media statements. Specific charges cited an interview where Hassoun called for the destruction of areas from which shells were fired during the battle of Aleppo in 2015.
The court also determined that Hassoun received money and gifts in exchange for intervening to secure the release of detained civilians and provided financial support to a pro-regime militia. Hassoun maintained that video clips were taken out of context and that he attempted to protect people from the regime.
In addition to the life sentence for inciting civil war and sectarian strife, Hassoun received a 20-year sentence for incitement to intentional killing, a 10-year sentence for principal participation in intentional killing, and a three-year sentence for abuse of office.
This sentencing follows other convictions against senior figures in the regime. In August, President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher, and seven other former officials were convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. Atef Najib, a cousin of Assad and former head of the Political Security intelligence agency, was tried in person. Wassim Assad, another cousin and militia commander, was also sentenced to death in person for crimes including murder.
These trials have been seen by some Syrians as a step towards accountability for crimes committed during the civil war, although human rights activists have called for greater transparency in the judicial process.
In a separate development on Monday, the United States announced it had rescinded Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism after 47 years. This action aligns with President Donald Trump's commitment to provide sanctions relief. The Treasury Department stated that this move aims to foster investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, was also removed from the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorist organizations. HTS, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, severed ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and led the rebel offensive that overthrew Assad in late 2024.