world
Syria Holds First Public Trial of Assad-Era Official in Damascus
Syria has initiated its first public trial of an official from the era of former President Bashar al-Assad. Atef Najib, a cousin of Assad and former head of political security in Daraa province, faces charges related to crimes against the Syrian people. The trial stems from events in 2011 involving the arrest and torture of schoolboys.
MA
AJ
middleeasteye.netAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Syria opened the first public trial of an official from the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Atef Najib, Assad's cousin and a former brigadier general who headed the Political Security Branch in Daraa province, appeared in court to face charges of "crimes against the Syrian people," according to state-run news agency SANA.
The proceedings mark a significant step in addressing actions during Assad's tenure.
Reports detail that the boys were beaten, burned, and had their fingernails pulled out. These events in Daraa are widely regarded as a spark for the Syrian uprising that began in 2011.
“Atef Najib, Assad's cousin and former head of Political Security in Daraa, is on trial in Damascus today. He held the position when the 2011 arrests occurred. The trial is the first of its kind for officials linked to Assad's government, which ended with his ousting.”
Najib's familial tie to Assad adds a layer of significance to the proceedings. No contradictions appear across reports on the basic facts of the trial's commencement and charges. State media reported the charges without specifying potential penalties.
The 2011 Daraa incidents involved security forces responding to youth protests. The harsh treatment of the schoolboys fueled widespread demonstrations across Syria. This trial comes amid broader transitions following Assad's removal from power. Sources agree on Najib's role and the nature of the 2011 events, though details on torture methods are specified in one account.
