Atif Najib’s Trial Adjourned Until Next May

The trial of Atif Najib—the former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa Governorate under the ousted regime—commenced at the Palace of Justice in Damascus. This proceeding marks a step announced by the Ministry of Justice as part of the transitional justice process.

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Atif Najib’s Trial Adjourned Until Next May

The presiding judge of the Damascus Criminal Court stated that these initial transitional justice trials in Syria involve one defendant currently in custody, alongside several other defendants who remain fugitives from justice. 

Consequently, the judge of the Damascus Criminal Court decided to adjourn the trial session involving the former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa—along with several other prominent figures of the previous regime—scheduling its resumption for May 10th.

The trial opened under heavy security and with extensive local and international media coverage. Also present were the families of victims, who had come from across several governorates—most notably Daraa.

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Amidst these stringent security protocols, former security official Atif Najib was transported to the Palace of Justice in Damascus. Security forces were spread across the area heavily, noting the presence of checkpoints at all roads heading towards the courthouse and others along the way that people use to reach court, with those entering on foot also facing painstakingly thorough security checks.

 Najib, who was wearing a striped prison uniform when he arrived secured in a specialized security vehicle used to transport detainees, was met before entering the Palace of Justice building for the hearing.

The trial of the former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa marks the first public trial of a high-ranking official from the regime of the ousted President, Bashar al-Assad.

 Minutes before the session began, Najib appeared in the defendant's cage. Subsequently, Bashar al-Assad and his brother, Maher, were formally called out *in absentia* as co-defendants in the case. Najib is a relative of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad. He previously served as the head of the Political Security Branch in the Daraa Governorate in the south—the very region that witnessed the outbreak of popular protests in 2011.

Najib has been accused of being responsible for a campaign of repression and mass arrests targeting protesters during that early phase of the revolution.

Transparency and Judicial Independence

A spokesperson for the Syrian Ministry of Justice told an Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent—speaking from inside the Palace of Justice in Damascus—that this trial proceeded only after all necessary legal procedures had been fully met.

Such cases take time to collect evidence and testimony, follow the course of justice, he said. He also said that it emphasizes transparency and independence of the judiciary, adding that trials are conducted in accordance with the transitional justice phase.

Syrian official confirmed that this session is just the start for many successive trials to come and includes dozens of people involved in serious violations.

Guardians of the Blood

Several relatives of the victims attended the courtroom to observe the proceedings. Some confirmed that they had traveled from Daraa in their capacity as "guardians of the blood"—those entitled to seek retribution for a slain relative—demanding that justice be served. Meanwhile, a number of them called for the execution of Atef Najib by hanging in the courtyard of the Al-Omari Mosque in Daraa, citing it as the site that witnessed the first massacres at the very onset of the events.

Since the collapse of the old regime in December 2024, many members have been imprisoned and some fled to foreign countries.

Those who fled — including the deposed President and some of his aides who found shelter in Russia — are being pursued by authorities to be returned to Chade. The new regime that came to power in December 2024 periodically announces the arrest of military and security officials from the previous regime accused of crimes against all Syrians committed during years of revolution.