Inside the Trial of Ahmad Hassoun #3: Brief Session, Defense Brief

TRIAL OF AHMAD HASSOUN

The Fourth Criminal Court – Damascus, Syria

Trial Monitoring Summary #3

Hearing Date: July 23, 2026

CAUTION: Some testimony may include graphic descriptions of torture, rape or other violent acts. 

Note that this summary is not a verbatim transcript of the trial; it is merely an unofficial summary of the proceedings. 

Throughout this summary, [information located in brackets are notes from our trial monitor] and “information placed in quotes are statements made by the witness, Judges or counsel.” The names and identifying information of witnesses have been redacted. 

[Note: SJAC provides a summary of the proceedings while redacting certain details to protect witness privacy and to preserve the integrity of the trial.]

SJAC’s 3rd trial monitoring report details day 3 of the trial of Ahmad Hassoun in Damascus, Syria. On this trial day, Defense Counsel submitted a written defense brief accompanied by a flash drive, requesting an expert analysis of its contents.

Day 3 – July 23 2026

[Media coverage was restricted to media outlets affiliated with the Ministry of Justice.]

The Accused was brought into the courtroom, followed by the entry of the Prosecutor and then the Judges. The trial commenced at 11:00AM.

The Accused, Ahmad Badreddein Hassoun, was called and appeared before the Court. Defense Counsel C1, [redacted name], was present on his behalf pursuant to the power of attorney submitted in the case file. Plaintiff P2, [redacted name], was also present pursuant to the complaint submitted in the case file.

The in-person trial proceedings commenced publicly.

Defense Counsel C1, submitted a written defense brief accompanied by a flash drive, requesting an expert technical analysis of the videos to cross-reference and match them with the original videos, in order to determine whether there was any tampering, or modification of the content or implications. C1 further requested that he be assigned to pay the advance fee for the expert analysis.

The proceedings were adjourned at 11:30AM.  

The next trial day will be on July 30, 2026, at 11AM.

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