‘Barrel bomb mufti’ Ahmad Hassoun handed life sentence in Syria trial

Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, who served as Syria's Grand Mufti for 16 years, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus. The ruling, issued on Monday, found the former top religious official guilty of multiple charges, including inciting violence and justifying killings during the country's nearly 14-year conflict.

Hassoun held the influential position of Grand Mufti from 2005 until 2021. His trial commenced on June 25, following his detention at Damascus airport in March 2025. He had reportedly been in hiding for a month prior to his apprehension.

The charges against Hassoun stem from his alleged role in providing religious legitimacy for the actions of the al-Assad regime throughout the protracted Syrian war. His conviction marks a significant legal development in the ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for crimes committed during the conflict.