Syria has opened its first public trial of a former official linked to the rule of ex-President Bashar al-Assad, marking a new phase in the country’s postwar legal process.
Proceedings began Sunday in Damascus for Atef Najib, a former head of political security in Deraa province and a cousin of al-Assad.
Najib faces charges related to “crimes against the Syrian people” tied to his role during the early stages of the 2011 uprising.
The session is a preparatory phase, with further hearings expected next month.
Najib was in charge of political security in Deraa when teenagers accused of writing antigovernment graffiti were arrested and allegedly tortured, an incident widely seen as a catalyst for mass protests.
Those protests were met with a violent crackdown that escalated into a 14-year civil war.
The conflict ended in December 2024 with al-Assad’s overthrow and his flight to Russia.
Najib appeared in court as the only defendant present, while al-Assad, his brother Maher, and other senior officials were charged in absentia.
They face allegations including killings, torture, extortion, and drug trafficking.
Crowds gathered outside the courthouse during the session, with some families of victims attending.
The trial comes as Syria’s interim government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, faces scrutiny over delays in launching a transitional justice process.
Authorities have recently moved to pursue cases linked to the former leadership, though questions remain about the pace and scope of these efforts.
On Friday, Syrian officials arrested Amjad Yousef, a former intelligence officer accused in the 2013 Tadamon massacre.
A leaked video from 2022 purportedly showed Yousef participating in the execution of detainees.
Officials have said the public nature of proceedings is intended to ensure transparency, while the broader legal process continues to be closely watched.
The developments unfold as Syria confronts the legacy of a war that left an estimated half a million people dead and millions displaced.