Damascus courts have handed former Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun a life‑long prison term. The former religious official, a vocal Assad loyalist, was convicted of inciting violence and justifying murder.

  • Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun receives a life sentence
  • Found guilty of inciting violence and legitimising murder
  • Verdict highlights the role of religious institutions under Assad

Damascus, August 24, 2026 – Syria’s former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus. Judge Fakhreddine al‑Aryan, presiding over the case, stated that the religious establishment under Assad had “justified the use of barrel bombs that targeted civilian areas, violating international humanitarian law.”

Hassoun served as Grand Mufti from 2005 until the post was abolished in 2021. Throughout his tenure, he was an outspoken supporter of President Bashar al‑Assad’s policies, frequently defending the government’s hard‑line security measures.

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During the trial, prosecutors presented speeches and statements in which Hassoun portrayed the use of barrel bombs as “religiously permissible,” despite their indiscriminate impact on civilian populations. The court ruled that such rhetoric amounted to direct incitement of violence and justification of murder.

This sentence forms part of a broader wave of prosecutions targeting senior officials from the Assad era. In recent weeks, former President Bashar al‑Assad, his brother Maher, and several other high‑ranking officials have received death sentences, often in absentia.

Historical Background

The Syrian conflict erupted in 2011 with massive anti‑government protests that were brutally suppressed, spiralling into a near‑14‑year civil war. The war claimed roughly half a million lives and displaced more than half of Syria’s pre‑war population of 23 million. The conflict concluded with the ouster of Assad in a swift, Islamist‑led offensive in December 2024.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Hassoun’s conviction not only underscores individual accountability but also sends a clear signal that religious institutions must not intervene in state policy with violence‑justifying rhetoric. The ruling is a pivotal indicator of the new government’s resolve to dismantle the legitimacy of the Assad era.

"Holding religious leaders accountable for human‑rights violations is essential for the credibility of international justice," said human‑rights scholar Dr. Lucy Martinez.
Did You Know?: In 2018, Hassoun submitted a detailed report to the United Nations defending the Assad regime’s bombing campaigns as lawful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will other religious officials from the Assad era face trial? Authorities indicate that investigations are ongoing and several other high‑profile clerics are under scrutiny.

Can the verdict be appealed to an international court? Hassoun’s legal team has signalled intentions to challenge the domestic ruling before an international human‑rights tribunal.