Inside the Trial of Wasim Al-Assad #2: I Am the State and the Law
TRIAL OF WASIM AL-ASSAD
The Fourth Criminal Court – Damascus, Syria
Trial Monitoring Summary #2
Hearing Date: July 15, 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 2nd trial monitoring report details day 2 of the trial of Wasim Al-Assad in Damascus, Syria. On this trial day, nine Plaintiffs testified before the Court. According to the witness testimonies, Wasim Al-Assad systematically extorted individuals — at times to secure their release or the release of their relatives. At other times, Wasim Al-Assad made false promises and gave people false hopes, only to rob them of their money, fail to fulfill his promises, threaten them, detain them, and seize their property. One witness recounted that the Accused shot him in the foot simply because he answered that he had no money.
Day 3 – July 15, 2026
[Note: There was media coverage by the Ministry of Justice and official outlets. Some international organizations attended the session].
The session began at 10:55AM with the entry of the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, followed by the entry of the Judges at exactly 11:00AM, when the examination of witnesses commenced. This session is considered the second session for the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad.
The Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, appeared before the Court, accompanied by his ad hoc court-appointed representative, Defense Counsel C1 [redacted name], a registered attorney with the Bar Association - Damascus Branch.
The prosecution was previously present.
The in-person trial proceedings commenced publicly, and as though all parties were present.
Witness Testimony:
P9, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P9 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P9 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P9 took the legal oath.
The witness began by introducing himself and the nature of his work, testifying that he had been working as a representative of the World Organization for the Middle East in the capacity of Peace Ambassador for five years. He gave an [honorary] certificate to both the former Governor of Damascus City, Tariq Kreishati, and Wasim Al-Assad. At that time, Wasim Al-Assad told him that the Governor was the one who would pay the amount [for the certificate], which was estimated at approximately $2,200. Afterwards, the witness returned to demand the money and frequented Wasim Al-Assad's residence at the Sheraton Hotel several times, but he received no answer. One day, three individuals arrived and took P9 blindfolded in a car, and he remained detained in a room for three days in the Mazzeh Jabal area, ill and without food. After three days, they took P9, placed him in the car, returned him to his home, and told him not to contact Wasim Al-Assad ever again.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether P9 saw the Accused during his detention. P9 answered that he did not see the Accused and did not know the individuals who detained him.
The witness resumed his testimony, testifying that he owned an art studio located opposite the Tala Tower in the Mazzeh West Villas area, which was seized by two individuals, named Nouri Zahra and Nawar Zahra, on behalf of Wasim Al-Assad. Subsequently, the witness was taken to Palestine Branch where he remained for two months, then received a sentence depriving him of his liberty. P9 added that he was beaten and starved while at the Branch.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether P9 saw the Accused during those periods. The witness answered that he saw him only once [after he was released] when he went to collect the fees [Wasim Al-Assad] was supposed to pay to the organization.
The Prosecutor asked the witness whether the individuals who took him were armed. The witness answered that they only had handguns.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P9. The Accused answered in the negative.
P3, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P3 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P3 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P3 took the legal oath.
P3 testified that on February 5, 2022, he wanted to travel to Lebanon through a smuggler. When P3 arrived at the Homs Bus Station, he called the smuggler and told him that he wanted to travel with his wife. At 2:00AM, a person arrived on a motorcycle to take them to an area named Khirbet Al-Hamam. Upon arrival, there was a Kia Rio car, which P3 and his wife got into. P3 asked the driver about the person who intended to smuggle them. The driver answered that he did not know and that there was a checkpoint ahead of them, where they stopped at. Then, they headed to another checkpoint, at which point the driver accelerated and took them to a farm. P3's wife was taken to another location, and he was placed in a room. In the evening, people were brought and placed in the same room. At this point, the Presiding Judge inquired of the witness regarding the number of people, and the witness answered that there were ten people.
P3 resumed, testifying that they [i.e., P3 and the detainees] were blindfolded, and then they were taken to a room on the second floor. The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether P3's wife was with him, and the witness denied that, affirming that he did not see her.
P3 resumed, testifying that three days later, someone asked him whom he wanted to contact. P3 replied that he wanted to contact a person who used to work with him as a concrete carpenter named O1 [redacted name]. Subsequently, contact was made with O1, who demanded $10,000 from P3. After fifteen days, P3 was released from the location and paid the amount. He found his wife at the border, however the gold that she had been wearing was taken from her. After that, they went to Wadi Khaled — the site of smuggling into Lebanon — where they found O1, and then P3 [and his wife] went to Lebanon. Ten days later, P3 returned to Syria and wanted to file a complaint against a person named Shuja’ Al-Ali from Wasim Al-Assad's group. When he went to court, the notary public and the judge [at that time] questioned whether P3 was insane to bring a claim against Wasim Al-Assad, and [the judge] refused to accept his lawsuit.
The Presiding Judge wanted to confirm whether P3 had submitted a claim against Wasim Al-Assad, which P3 denied.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P9. The Accused answered in the negative.
P2, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P2 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P2 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P2 took the legal oath.
P2 testified that between the May and June of 2023, his brother O2 [redacted name], went missing and his family spent a period of time asking about him, but to no avail. At one point, the witness was sitting with a person called P10 [redacted name] telling him the story. P10 informed P2 that he knew Wasim Al-Assad's office director, Samer Shouman. P10 contacted Samer Shouman, who said that he would offer help and contacted Wasim Al-Assad, who informed them that [O2] was at the State Security Branch [then was transferred to] the Al-Khatib Branch. The Accused demanded between $10,000 and $12,000 to help. Through the mediation of the attorney Samer Shouman, the amount reached $6,000. After that, they went to Wasim Al-Assad in the Al-Malki area in Damascus, and his office director, Samer Shouman, sat with them. It was primarily agreed to release O2 from the Al-Khatib Branch after three days or on the same day, and the amount was paid. During this period, the attorney, Samer Shouman, requested a security background check and received information from State Security that O2 was going to be released from the Branch. On the same day, P2's family was informed that O2 was taken to Adra Prison and sentenced to two years prison. When that occurred, P2 demanded the $6,000 from [the Accused]. Wasim Al-Assad returned only $1,000 to him, claiming that he had helped them, and then threatened P2 not to demand the remainder of the amount.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P2. The Accused answered in the negative.
P10, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P10 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P10 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P10 took the legal oath.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know if P10 was present when the money was paid to Wasim Al-Assad. The witness recounted that P2 had informed him that one of his brothers was at the State Security Branch. When P2 called him, P10 was with Samer Shouman, Wasim Al-Assad's office director. P10 told Samer Shouman P2's story. Consequently, Samer Shouman called Wasim Al-Assad and recounted the story to him. Wasim Al-Assad demanded $100,000 to release O2 from the Branch. Subsequently, P10 contacted O2's brothers, who told him that securing this amount was very difficult. They agreed on $6,000, went to Wasim Al-Assad, and gave him the amount. At the time, P10, P2, and Samer Shouman were present. The condition was that O2 would not be referred to court and would be released on the same day — as O2 had deferred his military service in order to avoid joining the army. On that day, Wasim Al-Assad told them that O2 would be released after two days. Four days later, Wasim Al-Assad called P10 and informed him that he would conduct a security background check through the State Security Branch. Indeed, Wasim Al-Assad provided P10 with the information on the same day, and Samer Shouman told P10 that O2 had been transferred to Adra Prison. P10 told P2 to call Wasim Al-Assad, whereupon P2 began cursing and swearing, questioning what they had done to his brother, as that was not what they had agreed upon. Samer Shouman told P10 that Wasim Al-Assad would not return the amount. P10 explained to Samer Shouman that [P2's family's financial situation was very dire]. Eight months later, $1,000 was returned to P2. P10 attempted to file a complaint with the Military Court and the Criminal Security Branch, but he was told to "forget the matter, as there are many complaints against him [i.e., against Wasim Al-Assad]."
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P10. The Accused answered in the negative.
P1, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P1 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P1 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P1 took the legal oath.
P1 testified that on August 3, 2024, a person named Samer Shouman, who goes by Abu Al-Majd, called him and said that he was from Wasim Al-Assad's office and that they were at the Sheraton Hotel, and requested P1 to visit him for fifteen minutes to talk. P1 called Abu Al-Majd and attempted to understand what was going on, but Abu Al-Majd refused to discuss anything over the phone. Therefore, P1 went to the appointment at the hotel and met with Samer Shouman and Wasim Al-Assad's brother-in-law [could be, son-in-law] named Siwar Al-Hasan. Wasim Al-Assad was not present at the meeting. They told P1 that the matter concerned his father and another person, and that they wanted to reach a resolution. Later, Wasim Al-Assad arrived and said that the matter was only between P1's father and a person named Abdulhakeem Al-Hazza’, who had contacted Wasim Al-Assad's group and said that there was a commercial matter regarding which he wanted to settle the dispute. The witness answered Wasim Al-Assad, denying any connection to the matter, then asked Wasim Al-Assad about his capacity. Wasim Al-Assad answered him, saying: "I am the state and the law." Abdulhakeem Al-Hazza’ reproached [Wasim Al-Assad], pointing out that this was the incorrect way for Wasim Al-Assad to resolve matters and obtain what was due to him [from people]. It was 4:00 PM, and they remained for about two hours. Wasim Al-Assad said that he wanted $10,000 from P1, to which P1 replied that this was a large sum. Wasim Al-Assad then ordered him to bring the amount "or else he would not be responsible for what would happen to him," which was a form of threat. In the evening, the witness brought the amount, and Wasim Al-Assad, Abu Al-Majd, and Abu Basel [no further details were provided by the witness] were present. Wasim Al-Assad said that they would set another date to bring an amount estimated between $25,000 and $30,000, and that the amount paid was an initial down payment. Wasim Al-Assad added that if [P1] did not bring the amount, he would have to bring title deeds and a "green document [meaning an unencumbered document]" exclusively. Later, P1 recounted the story to an attorney known to P1’s father. When that attorney contacted Samer Shouman, he told Shouman to keep the matter between them as he wanted the matter to remain legal.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether P1 paid the amount to the Accused, which P1 confirmed.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether a lawsuit was filed. P1 explained that he was unable to file a lawsuit, as he was advised not to file a complaint against the Accused.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P1. The Accused answered in the negative.
P4, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P4 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P4 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P4 took the legal oath.
P4 testified that a group of five plain-clothed individuals took him from his shop in Jaramana, stating that they belonged to Wasim Al-Assad's group, placed P4 in the trunk of the car, took him to a farm, tortured him, and accused him of being associated with the Al-Farooq [armed] group.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know Wasim Al-Assad's role and whether he was present during the torture. P4 answered that Wasim Al-Assad was present when they took him out [of the car], but P4 was blindfolded during the torture and did not see the Accused.
[P4 moved to another subject], testifying that some individuals killed a Druze man who owned a restaurant in January 2015, and the vehicle [carrying them] belonged to Wasim Al-Assad.
[P4 then resumed recounting his story] and testified that he remained detained for 48 hours, and that they extorted his father, who paid $8,000. Wasim Al-Assad's name was not mentioned; rather, the amount was paid to his group. P4 testified that Wasim Al-Assad's group used to extort people. P4 displayed a photograph in court showing how he was tortured. P4 mentioned that there was a young man with him who was extorted, whose wife was raped in front of him, and who attempted to commit suicide. P4 added that they [i.e., Wasim Al-Assad's group] killed three individuals because they were Sunni Muslims, executing them in front of him. Two other detainees were brought out [of the detention site, however, before their release] under threat with weapons pointed at their heads along with profanities. Regarding the individuals who were killed, P4 explained, one was from Al-Maliha, the other one was Palestinian, and the third one was from Deir ez-Zor.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P4. The Accused answered in the negative.
P8, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P8 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P8 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P8 took the legal oath.
P8 testified that there was a problem between him and an Iraqi national whom he knew through a person in Lebanon, while P8 was in Turkey. P8 explained that the Iraqi national defrauded his son regarding a parcel of land that was mortgaged, as he made P8's son sign fiduciary promissory notes to relinquish it. The witness consequently revoked the power of attorney, and his son traveled with him [outside Syria]. P8 added that this individual was an acquaintance of Wasim Al-Assad.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P8. The Accused answered in the negative.
P11, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P11 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P11 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P11 took the legal oath.
P11 testified that a person defrauded his father, and that he wanted to travel to Lebanon in 2020. P11 met a Lebanese individual named Husein Shukur, who asked P11 why he wanted to travel; told P11 that he could help; asked P11 to return to Damascus; and introduced him to Wasim Al-Assad. Consequently, P11 met with Wasim Al-Assad at the Sheraton Hotel. Afterwards, Wasim Al-Assad's escort arrived. The witness did not know Wasim Al-Assad. P11 explained to Wasim Al-Assad how he had been defrauded. Next day, Wasim Al-Assad brought the Iraqi national and promised P11 that he would obtain what was owed him within 48 hours. However, Wasim Al-Assad stated that he wanted a guarantee and a percentage of the amount. Wasim Al-Assad then brought a power of attorney and forced the witness to sign it. Therefore, P11 signed a waiver for a parcel of land in Ya’foor area and affixed his fingerprint to the paper. Wasim Al-Assad demanded $20,000 in addition to fiduciary promissory notes for cash. Abu Al-Majd, Wasim Al-Assad's office director at the time, took the amount. However, the witness received nothing after that. There was another individual who came with the Iraqi national — and whom Wasim Al-Assad knows — named Abu Al-Abd [no further details were provided by the witness]. P11 concluded his testimony, testifying that he subsequently revoked the power of attorney, whereupon Abu Al-Majd threatened him, and the witness traveled outside the country.
The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P11. The Accused answered in the negative.
P5, [redacted name]
The Presiding Judge asked P5 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P5 replied that he knew the Accused.
The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P5 took the legal oath.
P5 testified that Wasim Al-Assad summoned him in 2018 to Porto and told him that he wanted to partner with him in the Al-Areedha office, which is a customs clearance office, which P5 and his partner refused. Consequently, Wasim Al-Assad told them that he would halt their business if they did not agree to partner with him, therefore, they agreed to clear Wasim Al-Assad's cargo, with all profits going to him. Wasim Al-Assad began pressuring and threatening them with imprisonment, so they started working for him. However, Wasim Al-Assad continued every now and then to borrow about $200,000 from P5, which was supposed to be repaid over three years. Therefore, P5 no longer wanted to work with Wasim Al-Assad and told him to take the office.
On November 25, 2021, the State Security Branch detained P5 and referred him to Al-Khatib Branch on charges of dealing in currencies other than the Syrian Pound. P5 noted that he was legally entitled to deal in US Dollars because the nature of his work required working with shipping vessels. P5 remained detained at the Branch for 34 days. He was requested to make a settlement in exchange for $250,000. P5 remained detained at Al-Khatib Branch until December 28, 2021.
On January 6, 2022, [security] personnel arrived at 7:00PM and took him from in front of his home to a house in Tartus, and told P5 that Wasim Al-Assad had released him from the Branch. The witness said [to Wasim Al-Assad] that he had requested a settlement, to which Wasim Al-Assad replied that he wanted $100,000 in exchange for releasing P5 from prison. P5 explained that Wasim Al-Assad's escorts were Jamal Za'rour and Firas Al-Hasan. P5 responded that he had no money, whereupon Wasim Al-Assad shot P5 in his left leg.
The Presiding Judge requested P5 to show him the injury, which P5 did.
P5 continued, explaining that Dr. Muhammad Janoud was the one who performed the surgical operation on him. Wasim Al-Assad said that P5 had to state in the hospital report that an iron rod had entered his knee, otherwise, he would [shoot] P5 in the head. Thus, the witness stated that in the police report and remained in the hospital for three days. Later, P5 was barred from entering Syrian Customs so that he would remain under the command of Wasim Al-Assad, who continued to periodically take money from the witness, who was forced to comply.
The Presiding Judge wanted to know whether the witness was subjected to torture during his detention at Al-Khatib Branch. The witness confirmed that he was tortured during the 34 days he spent at the Branch.
The proceedings were adjourned at 12:00PM.
The next trial day will be on July 22, 2026, at 11AM.
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