Syria’s Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on Monday sentenced Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, the country’s former Grand Mufti, to life in prison. The court found Hassoun guilty on multiple charges, including inciting violence, justifying killings, and abuse of office during his tenure, according to a report from Al Jazeera.
The verdict concludes a trial that began on June 25, 2026. The proceedings followed Hassoun’s arrest at Damascus International Airport in March 2025. His arrest occurred approximately one month after reports indicated he had emerged from hiding.
Hassoun held the position of Grand Mufti of Syria, the nation’s highest official authority on Sunni Muslim law, from 2005 to 2021. His service spanned a significant period of the government under former President Bashar al-Assad and the subsequent civil war.
The charges against Hassoun were connected to his official actions and public statements made during the conflict. The prosecution’s case focused on allegations that he used his religious authority to legitimize and encourage violence.
The ruling was delivered by the criminal court in the Syrian capital. As of this report, official court documents detailing the full scope of the evidence or the specifics of the judicial reasoning have not been made publicly available. Further information regarding a potential appeals process has not yet been announced.
