Mufti Sentenced to Life for Barrel Bomb Plot in Syria

A Syrian court in Damascus sentenced a prominent mufti to life imprisonment on Tuesday for his alleged role in supporting the use of barrel bombs during the ongoing civil conflict. The judge found the cleric, identified as Sheikh Ali al‑Hassan, guilty of incitement to terrorism, propaganda, and aiding the regime’s campaign of indiscriminate bombing that has caused widespread civilian casualties. The sentence was delivered after a trial that included testimonies from security officials and witnesses who claimed the mufti had publicly endorsed the use of barrel bombs as a legitimate military tactic.

The prosecution argued that al‑Hassan’s sermons and public statements provided ideological justification for the regime’s air campaign, effectively encouraging the deployment of the destructive weapons. The defense contended that the cleric had been coerced into making statements and that his involvement was limited to religious duties. Nonetheless, the court rejected the defense’s claims and imposed the maximum penalty for terrorism-related offenses under Syrian law. The decision follows a broader pattern of the government’s efforts to clamp down on religious figures perceived as collaborators with extremist elements.

The life sentence is intended to signal the authorities’ determination to hold religious leaders accountable for their influence on the conflict. It also reflects the ongoing legal battles over the use of barrel bombs, a tactic that has drawn international condemnation for its indiscriminate impact on civilians. The ruling may affect how religious leaders engage with political and military actors in the region, underscoring the legal risks associated with endorsing or facilitating violent operations.