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Syria has formed a special committee tasked with seeking the extradition of individuals sentenced to death in absentia, a move that follows recent high-profile rulings against former President Bashar al-Assad and other senior figures from his administration. Deputy Justice Minister Mustafa al-Qassem announced the committee's formation, emphasizing its role in coordinating with Interpol to facilitate the handover of convicted fugitives.

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We have established offices to receive complaints related to transitional justice crimes, and we are seeking to recover Syrians’ stolen funds and pursue those who invested them abroad.

The controversial death sentences were issued by a Syrian court on Tuesday, marking the first such rulings since the government's overthrow in late 2024. The verdicts, which also targeted former security official Atef Najib, were met with jubilation in the courtroom and surrounding areas. Al-Qassem stated that the Justice Ministry is actively working to recover stolen Syrian funds and pursue those who invested them abroad, viewing international cooperation on fugitive extradition as crucial for advancing the country's transitional justice process.

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international cooperation, particularly in the handover of fugitives, would help accelerate Syria’s transitional justice process.

In response to criticism from Amnesty International, the Justice Ministry defended the judicial procedures, asserting that they accurately reflect Syrian law and include guaranteed safeguards for litigants. Amnesty International had called on Syria to abolish trials in absentia and the death penalty, advocating for domestic criminalization of core international crimes and comprehensive judicial reform. The organization recommended that prosecutions occur in ordinary civilian courts, with victim participation and without capital punishment, as part of a victim-centered strategy for truth, justice, and reparations.

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does not accurately reflect the nature of the judicial procedures followed in these cases or the safeguards guaranteed to litigants under Syrian law.

The Syrian Justice Ministry countered that the trials were conducted before competent civilian criminal courts by qualified judges, with victims and their representatives participating. They maintained that constitutional and legal safeguards, along with principles of international humanitarian and human rights law, were observed. The ministry stressed that the trials were based on evidence and judicial case files, ensuring defendants' rights to defense, appeal, and objection. The ministry concluded that Syria's current circumstances necessitate delivering justice and holding perpetrators accountable, while upholding constitutional and legal safeguards.

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if it wanted to “truly turn the page on the horrors of the past,” should end trials in absentia and the death penalty, criminalize core crimes under international law in domestic legislation and undertake comprehensive judicial reform.