The 4th Felony Court in Damascus sentenced Ahmed Bedreddin Hassoun, the former mufti of the ousted regime, to life in prison over activities he carried out during the regime’s rule.
The verdict in Hassoun’s case was announced at the end of the sixth hearing. The court assessed the testimony of witnesses heard during previous hearings.
Under the ruling, Hassoun will not be eligible for general or special amnesty and will not be able to seek parole.

Charges against Hassoun
The court classified Hassoun’s actions as incitement to civil war and sectarian conflict, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The presiding judge said the evidence collected showed that official religious institutions had been used during the ousted regime’s rule to legitimize military and punitive operations and defend those operations publicly.
The court also determined that Hassoun had received money and gifts in exchange for securing the release of civilians detained by the ousted regime’s security units.
Death sentences handed down to eight defendants
On August 11, the 4th Felony Court in Damascus sentenced eight defendants to death, including Beşşar Esed, the leader of the ousted regime, his brother Mahir Esed and his cousin Atıf Necib.
The defendants were charged with killing civilians and torture that resulted in death.