Syria’s ‘barrel bomb mufti’ Ahmad Hassoun sentenced to life

A Syrian court on Monday sentenced former Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddine Hassoun to life imprisonment for crimes committed during the rule of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found Hassoun guilty of inciting violence and sectarian conflict, justifying killings, abusing his position and involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes. The court also ordered the confiscation of his movable and immovable assets in favour of the state treasury. 

Hassoun served as Syria’s Grand Mufti from 2005 until 2021, when the position was abolished. He was a close ally of Assad and was dubbed the “barrel bomb mufti” by critics over his alleged support for the use of barrel bombs against civilians. 

Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the former regime’s religious establishment had been used to provide religious justification for military and security operations. The court also cited Hassoun’s statements urging the military to confront opponents and supporting attacks on civilian areas. 

Hassoun was arrested in March 2025 while attempting to leave Syria. His trial began on June 25, and prosecutors had sought the death penalty at an earlier hearing. 

The verdict is part of Syria’s transitional justice process following Assad’s ouster in December 2024. Hassoun is the 10th Assad-era figure to be sentenced by the new authorities. 

SKS