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Trials begin in Suwayda
Syrian authorities in Damascus have opened trial sessions for defendants connected to the violence that struck the Druze-majority province of Suwayda last year, with the Syrian Ministry of Justice saying on Friday that the referral of additional individuals to investigation continues.
The Ministry of Justice statement said the Military Public Prosecution has begun referring a number of people to the investigating judge, and that some cases were referred to the Military Criminal Court in Damascus.
The statement also said the court began hearing cases in public sessions as of July 1, with the defendants and their representatives present and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable laws and guarantees of a fair trial.
France 24 reported that the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria said the violence in Suwayda may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The same France 24 report said the violence in Suwayda included violations and extrajudicial killings that targeted the Druze, according to survivors and human rights organizations.
UN and committee figures
The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria said the violence in Suwayda Governorate may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the Syrian Ministry of Justice said the Military Public Prosecution began referring people to the investigating judge.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights figures cited by اندبندنت عربية put the death toll from sectarian violence in July 2025 at more than 2,000 people dead, including 789 Druze civilians, while an official investigative committee formed by the authorities documented at least 1,760 deaths in a report presented in March.
The Ministry of Justice statement quoted by اندبندنت عربية said the court began hearing cases "in open sessions starting on July 1" with the presence of defendants and their representatives.
The same Ministry of Justice statement said the purpose of the procedures is to verify the facts and hold accountable anyone whose responsibility for any violations is proven, regardless of their rank or the body to which the acts are attributed.
The UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, as described by اندبندنت عربية, said it documented executions, torture, gender-based violence, and widespread arson of homes, as well as other human rights abuses.
Who is accused, what next
The investigative committee announced after its formation that it prepared a list of suspects from the two Ministries of Defense and Interior, Druze factions, and civilians including Bedouins and tribes, for committing serious crimes and grave violations.
“The Damascus Military Crimes Court held yesterday, Monday, the second session of trials related to the events that occurred in Suwayda Governorate in July of last year”
The head of the investigation committee, as quoted by بوابة الشروق, said the Military Public Prosecution has started referring suspects involved in the events to the investigating judge, and that some cases were referred to the Military Criminal Court in Damascus.
بوابة الشروق reported that Judge Hatem al-Na'asan said the openness of the trials and the guarantee of the right to defense are fundamental pillars in the path of justice, reflecting commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
The same report said the committee stressed that the goal of these measures is to verify the facts and hold accountable anyone whose responsibility for any violations is established, in accordance with the law, regardless of their status or the entity to which the actions are attributed.
Al-Jazeera Net later described the Damascus Military Crimes Court holding a second session for the trial of defendants in the Suwayda events, and said the committee announced that the number of victims from all sides reached 1760 and the number of injured reached 2188.
