From exile to judge: Symbolism in Syria’s trial of Assad, former officials
Formerly sentenced to death for defecting from Syria's regime, Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan now presides over the trial of Atef Najib, a cousin of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, marking a symbolic shift in Syria's transitional justice process. The trial, which includes charges of crimes against humanity, is notable for its adherence to legal procedure rather than vengeance. Al-Assad and his brother Maher are also being tried in absentia after fleeing to Russia. While the proceedings represent a milestone, experts stress that true transitional justice requires broader reforms, truth-seeking, and reparations.
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Features|Syria's WarFrom exile to judge: Symbolism in Syria’s trial of Assad, former officialsFormerly sentenced to death, Judge al-Aryan now oversees trial, but transitional justice still far from complete.ListenListen (7 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoPeople gather in a Damascus courtroom on April 26, 2026, the first day of the trial of Atef Najib, a brigadier general and former head of the Political Security Department in Deraa during ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule who is accused of war crimes [Khalil Ashawi/Reuters]By Ahmed Muraisi and Mariem BahPublished On 28 Apr 202628 Apr 2026On March 13, 2013, Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, a judge at Idlib’s Civil Court of Appeal, publicly…
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