Inside the Trial of Wasim Al-Assad #4: Greed Is Not Good

TRIAL OF WASIM AL-ASSAD 

The Fourth Criminal Court – Damascus, Syria 

Trial Monitoring Summary #4 

Hearing Date: July 29, 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 4th trial monitoring report details day 4 of the trial of Wasim Al-Assad in Damascus, Syria. On this trial day, the Court decided to refer the case of P5 to the forensic physician to determine the nature of his injury. After that, the Court heard P12, a Prosecution witness who claimed that Wasim Al-Assad blackmailed him using his daughter, took gold from him in exchange for staying away from her, seized his car to give it to Bashar Al-Assad, and subsequently demanded additional gold.

Day 4 – July 29, 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 11:00AM. This session is considered the fourth 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 Plaintiff party was present.

The in-person trial proceedings commenced publicly, and as though all parties were present.

The Court unanimously decided to refer the case of P5 [redacted name] to the forensic physician to determine the nature of his injury, whether it constitutes a permanent disability, or if it can be treated.

Thereafter, the Prosecutor submitted a request to the Court to hear a Prosecution witness [P12], and the Court granted the request.

P12, [redacted name]

The Presiding Judge asked P12 whether he knew the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, and whether there was any familial relationship or prior acquaintance with the Accused. P12 replied that he knew the Accused.

The Presiding Judge asked the witness to provide his testimony without addition or omission, whereupon P12 took the legal oath.

The witness testified that in 2021, Wasim Al-Assad contacted him and told him to visit him at the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus to speak with him regarding a black “Cruiser” car, in order to deliver it to Bashar Al-Assad. Wasim Al-Assad was accompanied by his office director. [The Accused] threatened P12 that he must forfeit the car; otherwise, he would take it at gunpoint. This car was from Kuwait. The witness was a politician who used to visit Syria for short periods. Indeed, P12 continued, he gave the Accused the car, who had P12 place his fingerprint on the documents. P12 had a young daughter, and Wasim Al-Assad blackmailed P12 threatening his daughter and demanded thirty gold Liras [note: One gold Lira equals 8 g of gold]. P12 paid him twenty-five gold liras in exchange for staying away from his daughter. Later, the Accused demanded fifty gold liras, however, the witness did not give him anything.

The Presiding Judge asked whether P12 filed a complaint against Wasim Al-Assad. P12 denied having filed anything because there was no point. The witness added that if he receives what was due to him [from the Accused], he will build a mosque and donate the sum.

The Presiding Judge asked the Prosecutor if he had any questions, the Prosecutor said he did not.

The Judge asked the Accused whether he accepted the testimony of P12. The Accused answered in the negative.

At the conclusion of the session, the Court panel unanimously decided to await the forensic physician’s report.

The proceedings were adjourned at 11:20AM.  

The next trial day will be on August 5, 2026, at 11AM.

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