Inside the Trial of Atef Najib et al. #6: Hoodlums and Rabbits?
TRIAL OF ATEF NAJIB ET AL.
The Fourth Criminal Court – Damascus, Syria
Trial Monitoring Summary #6
Hearing Date: July 21, 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 6th trial monitoring report details day 6 of the trial of Atef Najib et al. in Damascus, Syria. On this trial day, ten witnesses testified before the Court.
One witness recounted how he was arrested alongside a young woman and locked inside a car trunk while security personnel subjected her to brutal sexual assault. After both were transferred to the security branch, he lost all trace of her fate. Other witnesses testified that the Accused Atef Najib was present among the security forces who fired live ammunition on demonstrators under his orders.
Additionally, a witness described her attempt to help an injured individual after stepping outside her home during the siege imposed on the city. Upon spotting her, security personnel nearly shot her on the pretext that she was a "terrorist." They forcibly seized the injured man from her, and she later learned that he had been killed, his body severely mutilated by torture and burning.
Day 6 – July 21, 2026
[Note: Media coverage was restricted to the media outlets of the Ministry of Justice only.]
The Accused, Atef Najib, was brought into the courtroom at 10:55AM. The Judges followed at 11:00AM, when the hearing of witnesses commenced. This constitutes the sixth session in Case No. (1) of 2026 against the Accused, Atef Najib.
The Accused Atef Najib appeared before the court, accompanied by his representative, Defense Counsel C1 [redacted name].
The Presiding Judge noted that the Accused, Atef Najib, had been granted a full opportunity during the previous session to state all details, and that it would be sufficient to state that he reaffirms his prior statements, which the Accused did.
The in-person and in-absentia trial proceedings commenced publicly.
Witness Testimony:
W19, Witness 03
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W19 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W19 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W19 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W19 testified that he was arrested in Eastern Ghouta in the Zamalka-Jobar area. He used to participate in demonstrations when the revolution broke out in March 2011. Two hours after he went out in a demonstration, [one of the demonstrators] was martyred. The witness and his companions took him to the Zamalka area. As they proceeded to the Jobar area and from there to Al-Abbasiyyin Square in Damascus, personnel from the Air Force Intelligence Branch arrested them — they were approximately 20 individuals — and they remained in the branch under torture and beatings for about three days. They were subsequently transferred to the Political Security Branch in Dar’a, accompanied by four individuals, one of whom was named Maher Al-Asadi. They were then transferred from the Political Security Branch in Dar’a to the Military Security Branch in As-Sweida; however, this transfer was made in error, and they were consequently returned to the Political Security Branch in Dar’a.
At this point, the Presiding Judge requested that the witness recount what occurred with him while he was inside the vehicle. The witness recounted that a young woman was with him in the vehicle, and security forces placed him in the trunk of the car. When the Presiding Judge questioned him about her, the witness answered that she was a detainee.
Thereafter, the driver stopped the car at a rest stop to purchase some food, while two security personnel remained inside the vehicle. These two personnel spoke to the young woman in an abusive and inappropriate manner, and began sexually assaulting her in a severely brutal manner while threatening her. The young woman was screaming and begging them, but to no avail, until she lost consciousness. Afterwards, the two personnel pulled the witness out of the trunk and placed him beside the young woman inside the car. W19 described the scene as extremely horrifying, as the young woman was unconscious, her clothes were torn, and she was bleeding. Upon their arrival at the Political Security Branch in Dar’a, the witness was taken inside the branch. The Presiding Judge wanted to know the fate of the young woman, to which the witness responded that he did not know about her fate following his entry to the branch.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know how many days the witness remained in the branch. The witness answered that he stayed for three days under extremely severe torture, after which he was transferred to the Al-Khatib Branch — Internal Branch [251] — where he remained for two days before being transferred to the External Division [279]. Detained along with W19 were lawyers, judges, and officers, one of whom was a defected Staff Colonel and died [in detention].
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W19. The Accused answered in the negative.
W20, [redacted name]
[Note: The witness was not present in court. Contact was made with him via video call.]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W20 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W20 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W20 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W20 testified that he held the rank of Captain First Class in General Intelligence — State Security. On March 18 [2011], forces [including W20] set out in helicopters from Damascus to the Municipal Stadium in Dar’a, with each helicopter carrying approximately 12 to 15 personnel. Present at the stadium were the Governor of Dar’a — Faisal Kalthoum — and Atef Najib. Upon their arrival, Atef Najib stated, "They are just a few hoodlums, and we want to finish them off." Atef Najib made this statement in front of everyone at the stadium, where a large number of officers were present, though the witness did not recognize any of them.
When the demonstrations began, they were fired upon [i.e., on the demonstrators]. The Presiding Judge wanted to know where W20 was positioned during the shooting. W20 responded that all forces participated in opening fire. Thereafter, W20 defected, fled the country, and currently resides outside of Syria.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W20. The Accused answered in the negative.
W15, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W15 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W15 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W15 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W15 introduced himself as having served as an executive council member in the Dar’a Governorate and owner of a resort complex. W15 then reported that two months after Atef Najib assumed his position in Dar’a, he requested that the witness visit him at his office to become acquainted. W15 remained for about one and a half hours with Atef Najib, who gave W15 directives regarding his work. After some time, Atef Najib requested W15 once again, and Atef Najib began insulting and swearing at the Hauranites, whereupon a sharp disagreement ensued between them. The witness went to complain to the Police Commander about what took place between him and Atef Najib, as W15 required approval from the Political Security Branch for the Artists Syndicate to hold an event, and Atef Najib was the sole authority in command in Dar’a, with all orders being issued by him. On March 18 [2011], W15 — accompanied by five or six individuals — was at the executive office [the witness did not specify the location of the office] when the Governor called. When the Governor arrived, Atef Najib instructed him to land the helicopters at the stadium. When they [i.e., the witness and certain individuals he knew] went to the stadium, Atef Najib and Ahmad Deeb were present, and helicopters were landing at the stadium. Plain-clothed armed personnel were also present. The Health Director [in the region] also arrived and instructed them to take those who died to Damascus and to leave the wounded lying by the vehicles [until they were transferred or treated on-site]. The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether Atef Najib was present during the conversation or heard it. W15 confirmed that Atef Najib heard the entire conversation.
W15 continued his testimony, recounting that he was with the Governor on the day of the massacre, on March 23 [2011] at 2:30PM, when a demonstration set out from Al-Hirak toward Dar’a. Faisal Kalthoum was speaking with Hisham Al-Bikhtiyar, telling him to send fire trucks to spray the demonstrators. A second demonstration arrived heading toward the Panorama, whereupon Hisham Al-Bikhtiyar told the security forces [sarcastically] to let the demonstrators offer condolences to their relatives. Thereafter, W15 went to his restaurant, which was located near the Political Security Branch. At that time, a demonstration of around 100 thousand demonstrators arrived. Forces were deployed near the Police Commander's house, the Political Security Branch, and the stadium, and Atef Najib was stationed at the Political Security Branch intersection near the swimming pool with his personnel. At that moment, he called out to the personnel to come to him. The demonstrations entered, and the personnel who were with Atef Najib began opening fire. In those moments, there was massive commotion, and the witness could no longer see Atef Najib. Gunfire came mostly from the direction of the [Al-Ba’th] Party Building and from the Popular Army. Killing spread, with numerous martyrs and wounded. The witness was administering first aid to the wounded.
W15 concluded his testimony by affirming that Atef Najib was the ruler of Dar’a.
The Prosecutor asked the witness about Atef Najib's interactions with his personnel during the revolution. W15 responded that he did not know.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W15. The Accused answered in the negative.
W21, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W21 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W21 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W21 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W21 introduced himself as having volunteered at the beginning of the revolution in law enforcement as a police officer in Damascus. At that time, they received instructions to proceed to Dar’a. As a result, thirteen personnel set out alongside officers in two large buses and one small bus. Upon arrival, they went to the Political Security Branch in Dar’a, as any military force was required to assemble at the Political Security Branch.
The security forces went to the square in Dar’a to meet with Atef Najib, and upon entering Atef Najib's office, Atef Najib was cursing two of his personnel because they had not participated in suppressing the demonstrators, and they were thrown into prison for 45 days as a result. Thereafter, Atef Najib turned toward the personnel and informed them that this would be the fate of anyone who refused to participate in suppressing the demonstrators. W21 noted that Colonel Mohammad Ali Barakat was present during the conversation, and that the instructions were to suppress the demonstrations by all means.
W21 spoke of another incident that occurred on the day of their arrival in Dar’a, where joint air force, military, and special forces from Political Security arrived. The directives were being issued by Political Security. Atef Najib then arrived and stated that this demonstration must be suppressed and must not appear in the media. The witness got closer toAtef Najib to verify that he was indeed the one issuing the orders, which W21 confirmed. Thereafter, W21 left the location and asked his colleagues who had given them the orders, and they told W21 that Atef Najib was the one who gave the orders to open fire.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W21. The Accused answered in the negative.
W22, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W22 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W22 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W22 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W22 testified that he was a volunteer in the Special Units affiliated with the Ministry of Interior, and he defected from the “former regime” in 2012. W22 then recounted that there was a tribal dispute in Dar’a and that [security forces] arrived on March 18, 2011, from Damascus to Dar’a for that reason. All security forces were present, and the witness was with the Special Units and Political Security, carrying tear gas canisters.
The instructions at the time were that there was a group seeking to sabotage state institutions. They received these instructions [temporarily] pending the arrival of Atef Najib, who was wearing a formal suit. After that, they proceeded to Dar’a Al-Balad, accompanied by Brigadier General Talal and Captain Mohammad Allawi. There was a distance of about 50 meters between them and Atef, which prevented them from hearing the speech clearly [i.e., the speech alleging the presence of sabotage groups]. Thereafter, they received instructions that contradicted the ones received initially. Subsequently, a meeting was held with Atef Najib, who instructed them to disperse the demonstrators even if live ammunition had to be used. Following that, shooting began, and those who opened fire were plain-clothed armed forces. When they [i.e., the witness and the security forces] inquired about the reason for the change in instructions, Mohammad Mubarak — who was in charge of a group of forces — replied that there was separate coordination with Atef Najib, directives from the Ministry [of Interior], and instructions from the Head of the Political Security Branch mandating the dispersal of the demonstrations.
W22 clarified that they were unable to open fire unless instructions were issued, and when they inquired about the matter, personnel informed them that the orders originated from Atef Najib. According to W22's account, personnel from the Political Security Branch were the first to open fire, resulting in two martyrs. Afterwards, the crowd was dispersed with [live] ammunition, resulting in further fatalities and injuries. The demonstrators subsequently proceeded to the Al-Karak Roundabout, where Atef Najib was inside his vehicle issuing all orders and "exercising his authority and tyranny due to his kinship with the President."
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W22. The Accused answered in the negative.
W23, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W23 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W23 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W23 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W23 testified that he was one of the individuals who witnessed the night when Political Security stormed the Al-Omari Mosque, taking the demonstrators to the Political Security Branch, along with martyrs and the wounded. The Presiding Judge wished to know who opened fire. W23 responded that they were personnel from the Political Security Branch, though he did not see the Accused Atef Najib.
When taking the martyrs and the wounded in the security bus, they [i.e., personnel from the Political Security] began singing and dancing on top of the wounded and the corpses and trampling them. Upon their arrival at the branch, it was full, so they were taken to the State Security Branch. They began interrogating the detainees on the premise that they were terrorists and rioters. While the witness was being tortured at the branch, his hand was injured. They were torturing the doctors [who were helping] at the mosque because they were administering first aid to the wounded. Present with them on the bus was a doctor whose ear was severed due to the severity of the torture. Security forced the detainees to trample on the wounded and the corpses of the martyrs.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W23. The Accused answered in the negative.
W24, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W24 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W24 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W24 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W24 testified that on March 18, 2011, after fire was opened and a large number of wounded and martyrs ensued, people fled. The Presiding Judge requested that the witness recount what occurred that day.
W24 recounted that he was hiding beneath fire trucks. Security forces were attempting to launch tear gas and open fire on the demonstrators, telling the demonstrators not to fear as it was rubber bullets [the response was unclear, and it may be understood as sarcasm]. The witness climbed onto the fire truck, and attempted to pull out the fire truck’s key and strike the driver. Behind the driver was a young man who was shot and fell to the ground. Gunfire was coming from all directions. Therefore, W24 fled from the vehicle to the roundabout and hid in one of the nearby houses.
Approximately fifteen minutes later, the situation calmed down, and W24 went to retrieve his motorcycle. Personnel from the Political Security Branch, Central Security, or Counter-Terrorism were present at the roundabout. W24 wanted to know who were the people standing by his motorcycle, so he asked them. They stated that they were from Political Security. One of the personnel asked him whether he was with the demonstrators, which W24 denied, requesting the key to his motorcycle from them.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness about the conversation that took place among the personnel. W24 recounted that while the security forces were at the roundabout, Atef Najib's vehicle arrived and he stepped out. Officers ran to him and saluted him. At that moment, W24 heard the Accused saying that had they opened fire on the demonstrators from the beginning, they would have been overcome with fear and would not have dared to come out "because they are rabbits [cowards]." Atef Najib instructed them to kill 5 or 10, as that did not matter to him. Thereafter, the witness took his motorcycle and inquired about the identity of that officer, whereupon he was informed that it was Atef Najib.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W24. The Accused answered in the negative.
W25, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W25 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W25 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W25 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W25 testified that he was an employee at the National Hospital in Dar’a from 2011 to 2012. On March 18, 2011, injured civilians arrived at the hospital, including children, women, young men, and elderly individuals who were sniped inside their homes. The Political Security Branch was present during the funeral procession on March 22 [2011], as demonstrators came out and were dispersed by firing upon them indiscriminately. Personnel from the Political Security Branch were searching for the wounded, while the martyrs were in the hospital's morgue refrigerators. The Military Security Branch was writing reports alleging that terrorists were the ones who killed the people. Meanwhile, the Political Security Branch was demanding the wounded and detaining them while injured directly from the hospital.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W25. The Accused answered in the negative.
P42, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide her testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P42 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked P42 whether she knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P42 replied that she knew the Accused, but that there was no prior acquaintance or enmity between them before the incidents of 2011.
P42 testified that in early February 2011, security forces [P42 did not specify the branch] requested her brothers, Abdurrahman and Ahmad, due to the writings on the school walls: "It's your turn, Doctor." Personnel from the Military Security Branch alongside joint patrols began raiding the house daily, demanding her brothers, while her father prevented them from entering the girls' room.
On February 12, her father turned in his son Abdurrahman to the local police station, while Ahmad fled. News of her brother Abdurrahman ceased, and town notables were visiting Atef Najib to request the release of the children. When her father inquired about his son, the response was: "Bring your women if you have children." P42 testified that following the [outbreak of] demonstrations, Sheikh Ahmad As-Sayasneh intervened to secure her brother's release. Indeed, her brother was released, bleeding from torture and in dire condition.
P42 reported that during the siege [in Dar’a], security forces were killing, committing thuggery, and abducting the wounded. During the siege, only women were permitted to leave [their homes] for two hours to purchase essential supplies and medications. On one occasion, while P42 was going to buy provisions, she saw on the road near the Al-Arba'in Mosque a young man approximately seventeen years old with special needs who had been injured and lying on the ground for some time, with no one able to administer first aid to him. The witness approached the young man and decided to assist him, carrying him on her back to take him to the hospital.
En route, there was a taxi carrying a security officer who ordered his personnel to open fire on her, calling her a terrorist. She told him that she had no connection to the matter and that she found the young man while on her way to buy medications. Thereafter, the young man fell from her back, and she requested assistance, as there were no vacant hospitals. One of the personnel arrived and placed him on a tank to take him to the hospital, while the young man begged her not to leave him with them.
Later, P42 contacted the young man’s paternal aunt, who went to see him. [The aunt later informed the witness of the following:] The young man was sitting with bullets in his flank, receiving treatment at the Izra' Hospital. The aunt was told to return after a week to retrieve him; when she did, the young man was dead and his body disfigured from torture and burning.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether personnel from the Political Security Branch were present during the young man's arrest. P42 responded that she only knew they were security forces.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P42. The Accused answered in the negative.
W26, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon W26 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge asked W26 whether he knew the Accused, Atef Najib, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. W26 replied that he did not know the Accused.
W26 testified that he was detained [along with demonstrators] during a raid, and they were taken to the Political Security Branch in Dar’a. Two days later, they were sent to Damascus.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether they were subjected to torture. W26 responded that they were subjected to the worst types of torture, including beatings, insults, and kicking, adding that they remained there for two days.
The Presiding Judge inquired as to who interrogated them. W26 replied that he did not know, as they were blindfolded. W26 added that following the interrogation, they remained in Damascus for fifteen days, after which they were referred to court and signed a pledge not to participate in demonstrations.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of W26. The Accused answered in the negative.
The Court decided to adjourn the session for requests, formal indictment, and defense presentation.
The proceedings were adjourned at 12:40PM.
The next trial day will be on July 28, 2026, at 11AM.
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