Inside the Trial of Wasim Al-Assad #5: Produce Your Proof
TRIAL OF WASIM AL-ASSAD
The Fourth Criminal Court – Damascus, Syria
Trial Monitoring Summary #5
Hearing Date: August 5, 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 5th trial monitoring report details day 5 of the trial of Wasim Al-Assad in Damascus, Syria. On this trial day, a medical report concerning the condition of P5 was read out, indicating that he suffered a partial disability. Then, the Defense Counsel submitted a brief in which the Accused requested justice and rejected the accusations against him. The Accused further demanded that the witnesses produce evidence for their allegations.
Day 5 – August 5, 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 fifth 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.
Not all Plaintiffs were present. The Presiding Judge was visibly annoyed, stating that the Plaintiffs knew the date of the session and should have attended, as their attendance was important.
The in-person trial proceedings commenced publicly, and as though all parties were present.
The session started with the submission of a two-page medical report concerning P5 [redacted name], which concluded that his injury resulted in a 35% permanent whole-body disability. The report was read by Plaintiff's Counsel and added to the case file.
The Prosecutor reaffirmed the requests previously presented [i.e., convicting the Accused and imposing the maximum penalty on him].
The Plaintiffs Counsel likewise demanded the same requests of the Prosecution.
Defense Counsel C1 submitted a three-page defense brief, in which the Accused, Wasim Al-Assad, requested justice and rejected all accusations and allegations attributed to him.
The Presiding Judge asked the Accused if he had any additional statements beyond those previously made. The Accused responded that he requested all witnesses who testified against him to produce evidence for their statements, and petitioned the Court for acquittal, leniency, mercy, and justice.
At the conclusion of the session, the Court ordered the adjournment of the session for review and judgment.
The proceedings were adjourned at 11:20AM.
The next trial day will be on August 18, 2026, at 11AM.
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