A criminal court in Damascus on Wednesday began the trial of Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, on charges including drug trafficking and other offences allegedly committed during the former regime’s rule.
According to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, the Fourth Criminal Court held its first hearing in the case, during which witnesses also gave testimony.
The agency said Wassim al-Assad faces charges related to drug trafficking and alleged involvement in multiple crimes committed under the previous government.
The 46-year-old has long been accused of playing a key role in the production and smuggling of the amphetamine Captagon to neighbouring countries during Bashar al-Assad’s rule. He is also subject to sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.