Syria to hold public trials over coastal region violence, government vows 'no impunity'

Syrian Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais has announced that trials connected to recent violence in the country’s coastal region targeting Alawites will begin soon and will be held publicly, inviting local and international media to follow the proceedings.

Speaking to Al-Mashhad TV on Wednesday, al-Wais said the trials "will take place in the near future," adding that "when the time comes, it will be open for everyone to follow, so that all can see there will be no impunity - whether for remnants of the old regime or those who committed violations against civilians".

The minister said the government had "taken strict measures against anyone inciting sectarianism in recent months" and claimed that "millions of fake social media accounts" that had spread rumours inside Syria had been deactivated.

Al-Wais also confirmed the formation of a special investigative committee to look into recent unrest in Suweida, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Justice and works in coordination with security agencies.

He said several suspects have been detained, and that the committee continues to gather evidence and hear testimony from victims "across all communities". He added that the results of the committee’s work "will be announced soon, and everyone responsible for harm or violations against Syrians will be held accountable".

The minister also addressed the issue of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons, describing it as "a matter requiring a fundamental solution, not merely routine judicial agreements".

He further said that Syrian authorities are seeking to prosecute former president Bashar al-Assad before a Syrian court and called for new laws specifically addressing war crimes. "There must be justice for victims through accountability and compensation," al-Wais +said.

Syrian lawyer Amjad al-Ghareeb described the government’s decision to hold public trials as "a positive step that opens a new page in ending impunity for all parties".

He told The New Arab's Arabic edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "the step is very important and shows the Syrian government’s seriousness in dealing with all segments of society, especially if it also prosecutes the defendants from the Ministries of Defence and Interior implicated in the events of the coast and Suweida".

Al-Ghareeb added that the participation of victims' families would be essential to ensure credibility and fairness.

"It is necessary to include the relatives of those who suffered violations in the trial process, and to guarantee the safety of witnesses from retaliation or prosecution," he said.

Clashes broke out in early March in areas along Syria’s coast after former regime army elements attacked General Security Directorate officers in the countryside of Latakia. The fighting resulted in widespread violations and sectarian killings that left hundreds dead.

Following the violence, President Ahmed al-Sharaa formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of the clashes and the resulting abuses against civilians and security personnel. According to Yasser al-Farhan, spokesperson for the National Independent Investigation Committee, 298 individuals accused of attacks on civilians and 265 accused of attacking security forces have been referred to the judiciary.

In a separate development, President al-Sharaa met in Damascus with German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Fadevol on Thursday, in the presence of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.

According to a Syrian Foreign Ministry statement, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian fields, alongside regional and international developments. Both sides "emphasised the importance of diplomatic dialogue in supporting stability and advancing mutual interests".

At a joint press conference in Damascus, Fadevol said that "a safe and stable Syria is the goal for Germany and Europe," adding that Berlin views Syria as "a country that can play an important role in the region".

He expressed Germany’s support for efforts to lift economic sanctions on Syria and its encouragement of German companies to invest in development and reconstruction. Fadevol also voiced confidence in what he called Syria’s "new direction", pledging continued German support for humanitarian and medical organisations working in the country.

"Germany believes in Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and stability," he said, describing participation in the country’s reconstruction as "a humanitarian and political duty that serves both regional and international security".