The Fourth Specialized Criminal Court for Transitional Justice in Damascus held six in-person and in-absentia trial sessions today, Monday, to continue examining several cases pending before it.
The National Authority for Transitional Justice stated via its Telegram channel that in the public in-person and in-absentia sessions for the first defendant, Muhammad Latfi Abduljawad Shahabi; the second defendant, Muhammad Jihad al-Hamawi; and the third defendant, Ali Ibrahim al-Tameemis, the public prosecutor submitted a one-page written memorandum in each session outlining the prosecution’s final request, which was read aloud and recorded.
On his part, the lawyer for each defendant requested a postponement to present his defense, and the court granted the defense time and adjourned the sessions to November 23. In the in-person sessions, deemed as in-person, the court heard a defense witness during the session of the first defendant, Saqr Abu Habla, and adjourned the session for prosecution and defense submissions until November 23.
In the trial session of the second defendant, Adnan Muhammad al-Aboud, the public prosecutor submitted a three-page written memorandum, reaffirming previous requests for the imposition of the harshest penalties prescribed by law against the defendant. Meanwhile, the defendant’s lawyer submitted a three-page written defense memorandum, and the defendant made his final statement, requesting acquittal and pleading for mercy and compassion. The court decided to close the records for judgment and adjourned the session.
As for the trial session of the third defendant, Muhammad al-Hussein, the defendant’s lawyer submitted a three-page written defense memorandum requesting the summoning of defense witnesses, and the court decided to summon defense witnesses and adjourn the session. The court had earlier begun the trial of the fugitive defendant, Sulaiman Hilal al-Assad, where he was called but failed to appear despite the issuance of procedural deadline orders against him. The court therefore declared him a fugitive from justice and commenced his trial in absentia publicly.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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