A criminal court in Damascus on Wednesday opened the first trial session of Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, on charges including drug trafficking and alleged crimes committed under the former regime.
The SANA news agency reported that the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus held its first hearing in the case, which also included testimony from witnesses.
Wassim al-Assad faces charges related to drug trafficking and involvement in multiple crimes during the rule of the former government, the agency said.
Wassim, 46, is a cousin of Bashar Assad and has long been accused of involvement in the production and smuggling of Captagon to neighboring countries during the former regime’s rule. He is also subject to U.S. and European sanctions.
Syrian authorities arrested him on June 21, 2025, as part of a broader campaign targeting individuals accused of crimes committed under the former regime.
