Syria Starts Trials for Old Leaders (CEFR Compare)

Apr 27, 2026, 02:56

Syria Starts Trials for Old Leaders

Introduction

The new government of Syria is starting court cases. They are judging people from the old government of Bashar Al-Assad. The first trial is for a man named Atef Najib.

Main Body

Atef Najib was a high leader in the army. The court says he hurt children and killed many people. These bad actions started a long war in Syria. Many people died in this war. Bashar Al-Assad and his brother Maher are also in trouble. They are not in Syria now. Bashar is in Russia. The court says they killed people and stole money. Other old leaders are also in jail. The government wants to punish all people who did bad things. The court will see Atef Najib again on May 10.

Conclusion

Syria is now using the law to punish old leaders. The government wants to show that everyone must follow the law.

Vocabulary Learning

court (n.)

tribunal / a place where legal cases are decided法庭

Example:The court will decide the case.

government (n.)

authority / the system or group of people that control a country政府

Example:The government will make new rules.

law (n.)

rule / a system of rules that govern behavior法律

Example:The law protects everyone.

people (n.)

persons / a group of human beings人們

Example:Many people are affected by the decision.

war (n.)

conflict / a prolonged armed struggle between groups戰爭

Example:The war caused many problems.

Sentence Learning

The court says he hurt children and killed many people.

Connector: The word 'and' joins two actions in the same sentence, showing that both happened.連接詞: 'and' 將兩個動作連接在同一句，表示兩件事都發生。

The court will see Atef Najib again on May 10.

Time: The phrase 'on May 10' tells us when the court will see him again, giving a specific time.時間: 'on May 10' 告訴我們法庭將在什麼時候再次見到他，提供具體時間。

Bashar is in Russia.

Prepositional Phrase: 'in Russia' tells us where Bashar is, adding location information.介詞片語: 'in Russia' 告訴我們巴沙爾在哪裡，增加地點資訊。

Bashar Al-Assad and his brother Maher are also in trouble, but they are not in Syria now.

Connector: The word 'but' shows a contrast, indicating that although they are in trouble, they are not in Syria.連接詞: 'but' 表示對比，說明雖然他們有麻煩，但並不在敘利亞。

These bad actions started a long war in Syria.

Prepositional Phrase: 'in Syria' indicates the place where the war happened, giving context.介詞片語: 'in Syria' 指出戰爭發生的地點，提供背景。

Syria Begins Legal Trials Against Former Government Officials

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。

Commencement of Transitional Justice Proceedings Against Former Syrian Officials

Introduction

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

Main Body

The current trial focuses on Atef Najib, who previously served as the head of political security in the Daraa province. The charges against Najib pertain to crimes against the Syrian population, specifically the torture of minors and the authorization of mass shootings. Evidence presented relates to the 2011 detention and abuse of teenagers following the discovery of anti-government graffiti, as well as the mutilation of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khateeb. These security measures are identified as catalysts for the subsequent civil unrest and the ensuing 13-to-14-year conflict, which resulted in approximately 500,000 fatalities and the displacement of millions. While Najib is present in custody, other high-ranking figures are being prosecuted in absentia. This includes former President Bashar Al-Assad, who was granted asylum in Russia following the December 2024 offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, and his brother, Maher Al-Assad. The charges against the former president include incitement to civil war, torture, and premeditated murder. Maher Al-Assad, former commander of the 4th Armored Division, faces allegations involving extortion, drug trafficking, and the operation of unauthorized detention centers. Beyond the Al-Assad immediate family, the transitional justice process has expanded to include other security personnel. This is evidenced by the recent arrest of Amjed Youssef, a former intelligence officer linked to the Tadamon massacre of April 2013. Judicial sources indicate that future in-person trials will encompass other relatives of the former president, such as Wassim al-Assad, and former grand mufti Ahmed Badreddin Hassoun. From a socio-political perspective, the proceedings are viewed by the Ministry of Justice as a necessary step toward judicial independence and accountability. Conversely, the administration of President al-Sharaa has encountered criticism regarding the temporal delay in implementing these promised legal frameworks. The trial of Atef Najib is scheduled to resume on May 10.

Conclusion

Syria has entered a phase of transitional justice characterized by the prosecution of former regime officials. The current legal actions aim to establish accountability for systemic abuses committed during the previous administration's tenure.

Vocabulary Learning

catalysts (n.)

substances or factors that accelerate a reaction or event催化劑

Example:These security measures were catalysts for subsequent civil unrest.

displacement (n.)

the forced movement of people from their homes遷移

Example:The conflict caused massive displacement of millions.

extortion (n.)

the act of obtaining money or property by force or threat勒索

Example:He was accused of extortion.

incitement (n.)

provocation / the act of encouraging or stimulating action煽動

Example:The former president faced charges of incitement to civil war.

premeditated (adj.)

planned in advance / deliberately arranged beforehand預先計畫的

Example:The prosecution sought premeditated murder.

Sentence Learning

From a socio-political perspective, the proceedings are viewed by the Ministry of Justice as a necessary step toward judicial independence and accountability.

Fronted Adverbial Phrase: The sentence begins with the prepositional phrase "From a socio-political perspective", front‑positioned for emphasis, followed by the main clause.前置副詞短語：句子以介詞短語 "From a socio-political perspective" 作為前置副詞短語，強調觀點，後接主句。

Evidence presented relates to the 2011 detention and abuse of teenagers following the discovery of anti-government graffiti, as well as the mutilation of 13-year-old Hamza al-Khateeb.

Reduced Relative Clause: The participial phrase "following the discovery of anti‑government graffiti" functions as a reduced relative clause modifying "teenagers".簡化相對從句：分詞短語 "following the discovery of anti‑government graffiti" 充當簡化相對從句，修飾 "teenagers"。

These security measures are identified as catalysts for the subsequent civil unrest and the ensuing 13-to-14-year conflict, which resulted in approximately 500,000 fatalities and the displacement of millions.

Restrictive Relative Clause: The clause "which resulted in approximately 500,000 fatalities and the displacement of millions" is a restrictive relative clause providing essential information about the preceding noun phrase.限制性關係子句：子句 "which resulted in approximately 500,000 fatalities and the displacement of millions" 是限制性關係子句，補充前面名詞短語的必要資訊。

Maher Al-Assad, former commander of the 4th Armored Division, faces allegations involving extortion, drug trafficking, and the operation of unauthorized detention centers.

Appositive: The noun phrase "former commander of the 4th Armored Division" is an appositive that renames or identifies Maher Al‑Assad.同位語：名詞短語 "former commander of the 4th Armored Division" 是同位語，對 Maher Al‑Assad 進行說明。

While Najib is present in custody, other high-ranking figures are being prosecuted in absentia.

Concessive Clause: The subordinate clause "While Najib is present in custody" expresses a concession, contrasting with the main clause.讓步子句：子句 "While Najib is present in custody" 表示讓步，與主句形成對比。