Syria Begins Legal Trials Against Former Government Officials

Apr 27, 2026, 02:56

Introduction

The interim government of Syria, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has started the first public legal trials against officials from the administration of former President Bashar Al-Assad. These proceedings began in Damascus with the trial of Atef Najib, a former brigadier-general and relative of the former leader.

Main Body

The current trial focuses on Atef Najib, who previously headed political security in the Daraa province. Najib is accused of crimes against the Syrian people, specifically the torture of children and ordering mass shootings. Evidence shows that teenagers were detained and abused in 2011 after anti-government graffiti was found, including the case of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khateeb. Experts claim these security actions caused the civil unrest and the subsequent 14-year conflict, which led to roughly 500,000 deaths and millions of displaced people. While Najib is in custody, other high-ranking figures are being tried in their absence. This includes former President Bashar Al-Assad, who received asylum in Russia after the December 2024 offensive, and his brother, Maher Al-Assad. The former president is accused of starting a civil war, torture, and planned murder. Meanwhile, Maher Al-Assad, the former commander of the 4th Armored Division, faces allegations of extortion, drug trafficking, and running illegal detention centers. Furthermore, the legal process has expanded to include other security personnel, such as Amjed Youssef, a former intelligence officer linked to the 2013 Tadamon massacre. Judicial sources emphasized that future trials will include other relatives of the former president and former grand mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun. The Ministry of Justice asserted that these trials are a necessary step toward independence and accountability, although some critics have complained that the government took too long to start these legal processes.

Conclusion

Syria has entered a period of transitional justice by prosecuting former regime officials. These legal actions aim to ensure that those responsible for systemic abuses during the previous administration are held accountable.

Vocabulary Learning

accountability (n.)

the responsibility to explain actions and face consequences問責

Example:The Ministry of Justice said the trials would promote accountability for past abuses.

administration (n.)

the group of people who run a country or organization行政

Example:The administration of former President Bashar Al-Assad was accused of multiple crimes.

detention (n.)

the act of keeping someone in custody拘留

Example:Teenagers were held in detention after anti-government graffiti was found.

interim (adj.)

temporary / for a limited time臨時

Example:The interim government will oversee elections until a permanent administration is elected.

torture (n.)

the act of inflicting severe pain or suffering to punish or coerce酷刑

Example:He was charged with torture of children during the conflict.

Sentence Learning

The current trial focuses on Atef Najib, who previously headed political security in the Daraa province.

Relative Clause: This clause 'who previously headed political security in the Daraa province' provides additional information about Atef Najib, specifying his former role. It is a defining relative clause because it is essential to identify which person is being talked about.關係子句: 此子句 'who previously headed ...' 為 Atef Najib 提供了關於其前職務的必要資訊，屬於定義性關係子句，因為它對識別主題是必要的。

Evidence shows that teenagers were detained and abused in 2011 after anti‑government graffiti was found, including the case of 13‑year‑old Hamza al‑Khateeb.

Passive Voice: The sentence uses passive voice in 'were detained and abused', which shifts focus from the doer to the victims, making the action the main point.被動語態: 句子中的 'were detained and abused' 使用被動語態，將焦點從執行者轉移到受害者，凸顯行為本身。

While Najib is in custody, other high‑ranking figures are being tried in their absence.

Linking Word (While): The conjunction 'While' introduces a contrastive clause that shows two events occurring at the same time, highlighting the contrast between Najib's custody and other trials.連接詞 (While): 連接詞 'While' 引入一個對比子句，顯示兩個事件同時發生，對比 Najib 的羈押與其他審訊。

The Ministry of Justice asserted that these trials are a necessary step toward independence and accountability, although some critics have complained that the government took too long to start these legal processes.

Linking Word (Although): The word 'although' introduces a contrasting idea, indicating that despite the Ministry's assertion, critics still have concerns.連接詞 (Although): 連接詞 'although' 引入對比概念，表示儘管司法部門主張，批評者仍有疑慮。

The interim government of Syria, led by President Ahmad al‑Sharaa, has started the first public legal trials against officials from the administration of former President Bashar Al‑Assad.

Present Perfect: The verb phrase 'has started' is in the present perfect tense, showing an action that began in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.現在完成式: 動詞短語 'has started' 使用現在完成式，表示一個從過去開始並持續影響現在的動作。