"Trials by De Facto authorities mislead, mere formality"

The Political Council of Central and Western Syria rejected the trials being conducted by the interim government in Syria, which it described as the "de facto authority" in northern Syria. The Council asserted that these trials are "misleading and a mere formality" in which the perpetrator simultaneously serves as both judge and prosecutor, thereby depriving them of any legal or judicial basis.

In a statement, the council explained that these trials suffer from “serious legal flaws,” most notably the lack of genuine jurisdiction, the absence of basic guarantees regarding the defendants’ right to defense and legal representation, and the conflicting roles of the authorities managing the proceedings security, religious, and civil which undermines the principles of impartiality and integrity.

The council emphasized that the timing of these trials raises suspicions, especially as they coincide with Security Council Resolution 2799. It believes the aim is to “polish the image of certain figures, most notably Abu Muhammad al-Julani (Ahmed al-Sharaa), rather than to conduct fair and transparent trials.”

The statement indicated that removing Ahmed al-Sharaa's name from some international communications does not exonerate him, nor does it remove his designation or prevent his accountability. It noted that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in both its current and former forms (Jabhat al-Nusra), remains listed on UN terrorism lists pursuant to Resolution 1,267.

The Council reiterated that the head of the interim government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been "designated internationally as a terrorist since 2013 due to a wide range of violations, including suicide bombings, the use of car bombs, assassinations, the arrest of civilians, and the perpetration of documented crimes against factions and citizens in northern Syria."

The Council concluded by emphasizing that any trials that are not based on international law and standards of justice, and that do not respect the rights of the accused, "cannot be recognized and cannot serve as a basis for any future legitimacy."

ANHA