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Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa, appeared before the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on May 10 for the second session of his trial, wearing a striped prison uniform.

Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa, appeared before the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on May 10 for the second session of his trial, wearing a striped prison uniform.

The court brought at least 10 charges against Najib, including murder, torture and responsibility for massacres linked to the violent suppression of protests in Daraa during the 2011 uprising. The charges also included command responsibility for torture inside detention centers, with prosecutors detailing the use of electric shocks and the pulling of fingernails.

The court brought at least 10 charges against Najib, including murder, torture and responsibility for massacres linked to the violent suppression of protests in Daraa during the 2011 uprising. The charges also included command responsibility for torture inside detention centers, with prosecutors detailing the use of electric shocks and the pulling of fingernails.

Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad and several other former regime figures were confirmed absent from the proceedings despite legal notification. Under Article 322 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court stripped them of civil rights and ordered the seizure of their assets.

Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad and several other former regime figures were confirmed absent from the proceedings despite legal notification. Under Article 322 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court stripped them of civil rights and ordered the seizure of their assets.

The judge ordered a halt to live broadcasting during the session to protect the identities of witnesses and shield confidential documents, while the trial remained open to plaintiffs and prosecutors. Some 75 plaintiffs have filed cases against Najib and are expected to testify.

The judge ordered a halt to live broadcasting during the session to protect the identities of witnesses and shield confidential documents, while the trial remained open to plaintiffs and prosecutors. Some 75 plaintiffs have filed cases against Najib and are expected to testify.

Najib was arrested in January 2025 in Latakia province during a security operation and had previously been placed under U.S. and EU sanctions in 2011 for his role in suppressing civilian protests. His arrest was described as one of the most significant detentions of former security officials.

Najib was arrested in January 2025 in Latakia province during a security operation and had previously been placed under U.S. and EU sanctions in 2011 for his role in suppressing civilian protests. His arrest was described as one of the most significant detentions of former security officials.

The National Transitional Justice Commission described the proceedings as part of a broader accountability process, stating that serious crimes against Syrians are not subject to statutes of limitations. Syria's transitional administration, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, was formed in January 2025 following Assad's flight to Russia in December 2024.

The National Transitional Justice Commission described the proceedings as part of a broader accountability process, stating that serious crimes against Syrians are not subject to statutes of limitations. Syria's transitional administration, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, was formed in January 2025 following Assad's flight to Russia in December 2024.

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Assad Cousin Faces Trial for Syria Atrocities

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