Syrian authorities are preparing to start the trial of notable figures from the previous regime next Sunday, with the former security chief Atef Najib being the first to face court. Najib was arrested in January 2025, and this trial marks a significant step in the new government's initiative, which took power in December 2024, to address human rights abuses committed during the years of conflict.
Atef Najib, who is considered a relative of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad, previously served as the head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa, where the spark of popular protests ignited in 2011. Najib is held responsible for a widespread crackdown and mass arrests against demonstrators during that period.
Details of the Upcoming Trials
According to a source in the Ministry of Justice, Najib's trial will be followed by other trials of prominent figures such as
The new government aims to achieve transitional justice, with Syrian Justice Minister Mahzar al-Wais announcing the readiness of the Criminal Court in Damascus to begin public trials, which is considered an important step towards establishing justice and reinforcing the rule of law in the country.
Background & Context
Protests against Assad erupted in Daraa on March 15, 2011, following the arrest of children who wrote anti-government slogans on the walls of their school. These children were tortured by security forces, leading to an escalation of protests. Subsequently, Atef Najib was removed from his position, and the United States placed him on a sanctions list due to human rights violations.
In June 2025, Waseem al-Assad was arrested, considered one of the main suspects involved in drug trafficking during the previous regime's rule. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him in 2023, noting that he was a leader of a paramilitary unit and participated in a regional drug smuggling network.
Impact & Consequences
Reports indicate that the trial of prominent figures from the previous regime may contribute to achieving justice for victims and their families, opening the door for accountability for those responsible for the atrocities committed during the conflict. These trials could also reflect a shift in Syrian policy towards greater transparency and accountability.
This step is significant in the context of international efforts to achieve transitional justice in Syria, where activists and human rights organizations are calling for justice for victims and the missing, amid an ongoing conflict that has claimed the lives of over half a million people.
Regional Significance
The trial of prominent figures from the previous regime is an important step in the context of political and security crises in the region. These trials may affect relations between Syria and neighboring countries, opening discussions on how to deal with regimes that have committed human rights violations.
Ultimately, the trial of prominent figures from the Assad era remains a true test of the new Syrian government's commitment to achieving justice and accountability, which may reflect on the stability of the country and the region as a whole.