Atif Najib, the former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa, appeared once again before a court in Damascus on Sunday, during the second session of his trial over violations committed in Daraa under the rule of Bashar al-Assad.
The court brought more than 10 charges against Najib, most notably murder, torture, and responsibility for the Political Security and Al-Omari Mosque massacres. Seventy-five plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against him and are expected to testify before the court.
The session included both a public and a closed-door segment at the judge’s request, with secret witnesses present, alongside victims’ families and representatives from transitional justice bodies as well as international legal and human rights organizations.
This trial is considered the first officially announced by the Syrian authorities within the broader process of holding officials from Bashar al-Assad’s regime accountable following its downfall.
