Former Syrian chief mufti Ahmed Badr al-Din Hassoun appeared in the dock of the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus for a sentencing session [1].
The trial of the former religious leader represents a significant legal proceeding regarding the role of state-aligned religious figures during the Syrian conflict.
Hassoun appeared before the court on June 25, 2026 [3]. This appearance marked the sixth sentencing session of the trial [1]. The proceedings took place within the Fourth Criminal Court in the capital city of Damascus [2].
Prosecutors have brought five charges against Hassoun [4]. These include incitement to violence, the justification of killing, and the abuse of his official position [4]. The charges relate specifically to his tenure and influence as the regime's chief mufti [4].
Reports on the trial's timeline have varied. While some sources identify the June session as the sixth sentencing hearing [1], other reports from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) described a session as the first of the trial [2].
Hassoun served as the highest religious authority in Syria, providing theological backing for government policies. The current legal action seeks to determine his criminal liability for using that position to encourage violence against opponents of the state [4].
“Former Syrian chief mufti Ahmed Badr al-Din Hassoun appeared in the dock of the Fourth Criminal Court”
The prosecution of Ahmed Hassoun signals a shift toward holding high-ranking religious officials accountable for the legal and moral justifications provided for state violence. By targeting the former chief mufti, the proceedings highlight the intersection of religious authority and criminal liability in the aftermath of systemic conflict.
