Court Issues Sentences Against Four Defendants over Syrian Coastal Violations

ARK News.. The Military Criminal Court in Aleppo issued verdicts on Thursday, September 17, against four defendants accused of violations committed during the events on Syria’s coast, sentencing one to death, another to life imprisonment, and a third to 20 years in prison, while acquitting the fourth.

Kamel Atli, head of the Aleppo branch of the Syrian Bar Association, told the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the trial was held publicly at the Aleppo Justice Palace, with a team of volunteer lawyers representing several of the defendants.

Atli said hearings involving five other defendants were postponed until Thursday, September 24, to complete the relevant judicial procedures.

The first public hearings for defendants accused of committing violations during the coastal events began on November 18 last year at the Aleppo Justice Palace, in the presence of victims’ relatives.

Events on Syria’s Coast

Syria’s coastal areas witnessed intense clashes in March 2025. Syrian authorities said the fighting began after remnants of the former regime attacked government security convoys in villages in the Latakia countryside.

The Defense and Interior ministries subsequently launched a security campaign along the Syrian coast. Widespread violations against civilians were reported during the campaign, including killings, arrests, and looting of property.

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