Syria gives Assad-era cleric Ahmed Hassoun life sentence

A Syrian court sentenced Ahmed Hassoun, the former grand mufti under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, to life in prison on Monday after convicting him of crimes including inciting sectarian strife and exploiting his position.

Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said Hassoun, 77, was guilty of charges including inciting civil war and sectarian strife. The court also convicted him of incitement to intentional homicide, principal complicity in intentional homicide, and inciting sectarian and racial strife, giving him additional terms ranging from three to 20 years.

The court ordered Hassoun's assets confiscated and handed to the public treasury.

Hassoun was Syria's top Muslim cleric for 16 years and was known for close ties to Assad. He lost the title of grand mufti in 2021 when Syria abolished the position.

His sentencing is the first against a religious figure since Syria's new authorities began trying Assad-era officials in April. He is the 10th Assad-era figure to be sentenced under the new authorities.

On August 11, Syria sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and five other security officials to death in absentia for atrocities committed during Syria's civil war. Authorities have also handed death sentences to Atif Najib and Wassim al-Assad, cousins of the former ruler who were tried in person.

Hassoun, a native of Aleppo, was arrested at Damascus airport in March last year as he tried to flee the country.

The United Nations and human rights organisations have opposed death sentences handed to Assad-era officials. Human Rights Watch said on Sunday that the sentences raise legal issues the government should urgently address.