Former Syrian Grand Mufti Ahmad Hassoun Sentenced to Life in Prison for War Crimes

Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, who served as a top Muslim religious official under ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been handed a life sentence for crimes committed throughout Syria’s nearly 14-year war.

The ruling was delivered on Monday by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, which found Hassoun guilty of multiple offenses, including inciting violence, justifying killings, and abusing his official position.

Hassoun held the position of Syria’s grand mufti from 2005 until 2021. Following a period in hiding, he was detained at the Damascus airport in March 2025, and his trial subsequently commenced on June 25.

Authorities noted that more developments regarding the case are expected to follow.