The Palace of Justice in Aleppo witnessed today, 18 November, the first public hearing for defendants accused of violations and crimes against civilians and military personnel in the Syrian coastal region (Latakia and Tartus, western Syria) in March 2025.
Families of the victims attended the session to follow the proceedings, amid expectations and hopes pinned on the course of justice.
Fourteen defendants before the court
The case is being heard by a judicial panel chaired by Judge Zakaria Bakkar, with counsellors Hussein al Sharif and Ahmad Mukhlis al Mahmoud sitting on the bench to oversee the hearing.
According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent, the court today examined the cases of 14 people, including seven from the remnants of the former regime and seven others accused of violations while belonging to factions linked to government-affiliated actors.
The hearing included the presentation of evidence and testimonies documenting the violations, alongside the defendants’ statements and what was recorded in the interrogation minutes.
The charges attributed to the former regime’s remnants include inciting discord, fomenting sectarian war, hatred, and incitement.
They also include leading and joining armed gangs and carrying out attacks against government and military forces.
The accusations brought against factions affiliated with the Syrian government include the premeditated killing of more than one person and committing additional acts against civilians during the coastal events.
During the session, the judge stressed that there is no formal designation of “remnants of the regime”.
“All of the defendants appearing before the court today are Syrians who committed violations against Syrians,” he said.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that the hearings will continue until 25 December, after which the verdicts will be handed down once the court’s deliberations are completed.
Trials in sequence
The spokesperson for the Committee of Investigation into the coastal events, Yasser al-Farhan, said on Monday, 17 November, that the committee has referred 563 suspects to the judiciary in accordance with national laws and international standards.
He considered that this step aims to prevent those involved from escaping punishment and to ensure justice for the victims.
Al Farhan told the state-run al-Ikhbariya channel that the process of referring cases to trial has begun in sequence.
He noted that Tuesday’s session will see an indictment or an implicit decision issued by the examining magistrate.
He stressed that the committee will continue its work until justice is achieved and redress is provided to the victims.
Al Farhan pointed out that the confidentiality of the investigations was intended to protect the evidence and prevent suspects from fleeing.
He added that the judiciary is the authority empowered to decide what will be made public.
The head of the National Committee for Investigation and Fact-Finding into the coastal events, Judge Jomaa al-Anzi had previously stressed that these trials represent watershed moments in the country’s history.
They also, he said, reflect an image of Syria that seeks to entrench the foundations of justice and transparency.
According to him, the trials reinforce trust in the judicial system and act as a deterrent to criminals, while respecting the rights of defendants and ensuring fair trials.
He considered that a great effort had been made by the Syrian ministries of justice, interior, and defense, along with the judicial system and law-enforcement bodies, to reach this point.
Judge Jomaa al-Anzi noted that these proceedings are of great importance to the victims’ families and to everyone concerned with the path of justice and redress.
The committee, he added, sees the implementation of its recommendations on the ground as evidence of the state’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
The coastal events
The coastal events broke out on 6 March 2025 after movements by elements of the former regime’s army, during which General Security forces in rural Latakia (western Syria) were targeted.
Within a few hours, those whom government circles refer to as “remnants” seized control of areas in the cities of Latakia and Tartus, leaving dead among the ranks of the General Security forces.
This prompted the ministries of defense and interior to bring reinforcements into the area.
They were later joined by armed factions loyal to the government, as well as local armed civilians.
This led to large-scale violations against civilians and the deaths of hundreds, against a backdrop of sectarian affiliation.
By dawn on 7 March, government forces had regained control of the affected areas.
However, tensions and extrajudicial killings continued until 8 March, resulting in extensive damage and significant loss of life.
Following these events, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al Sharaa, issued a decree forming a fact-finding committee.
The committee was tasked with examining the causes of the events and the violations that followed, including the killings of civilians and General Security personnel, with the aim of submitting recommendations and holding those responsible for these crimes to account.
Fact-finding committee announces start of trials for suspects in Syria’s coastal-region violence
Trials begin for suspects in Syrian coastal-region violations Enab Baladi.
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