Former Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun Sentenced to Life in Prison Over War-Era Crimes

Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, Syria’s former Grand Mufti and one of the most prominent religious figures during the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following a trial over crimes committed during the country’s nearly 14-year civil war.

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus delivered the life sentence on Monday after finding Hassoun guilty of several offences, including inciting violence, justifying killings and abusing the authority of his office.

Hassoun, who served as Syria’s Grand Mufti from 2005 until 2021, was a senior religious authority during some of the most violent and turbulent years of the Syrian conflict.

His position gave him significant influence, and he was frequently associated with the Assad government’s political and religious messaging during the war.

The former grand mufti was arrested at Damascus airport in March 2025, after reportedly emerging from hiding a month earlier.

His arrest followed the collapse of Assad’s government and the subsequent efforts by Syria’s new authorities to investigate senior officials and figures who were accused of supporting or legitimising the former regime.

Hassoun’s trial officially began on June 25. Prosecutors brought a number of allegations against him, including accusations that he used his religious position to encourage violence and provide religious justification for actions carried out during the conflict.

The court ultimately convicted him of multiple charges and imposed a life sentence, making the case one of the latest high-profile legal proceedings involving figures associated with the former Assad government.

The verdict is likely to attract significant attention as Syria continues to grapple with the legacy of the war, which resulted in widespread destruction, mass displacement and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

The conflict also left deep political, social and sectarian divisions across the country.

Hassoun had remained a controversial figure throughout Assad’s rule. As Grand Mufti, he was one of the highest-ranking Islamic religious officials in Syria and regularly appeared in support of the government during the conflict.

His sentencing comes amid broader efforts to pursue accountability for alleged abuses committed during the Assad era.

The authorities have increasingly focused on individuals accused of playing important roles in the former government’s political, military and religious structures.

The life sentence against Hassoun therefore represents not only a significant legal development in his individual case but also part of a wider attempt to address alleged crimes and abuses associated with the former Syrian regime.

Further details about the court’s ruling, including the specific evidence presented during the trial and the possibility of an appeal, are expected to emerge as the judicial process continues.

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