The Palace of Justice in Aleppo hosted another public trial session on Thursday, April 2, for defendants accused in connection with the incidents on the Syrian coast.
The session had been postponed since March 15, following a court decision to suspend proceedings until the remaining evidence could be examined and the trial could continue in line with legal procedures.
According to Enab Baladi’s correspondent, who attended the session, the court once again reviewed evidence and heard witnesses. It also heard the defendants’ statements regarding audio and video recordings presented as evidence against them, while a technical committee tasked with examining the clips was present to verify their authenticity.
Some of the recordings included accusations that the defendants had incited sectarian tensions and were involved in the killings of Internal Security personnel.
The defendants denied that the recordings were linked to them.
They said the material may have been manipulated using artificial intelligence or that attempts had been made to falsify the evidence, while the defense team presented additional arguments contesting the charges.
The court decided to grant the technical committee more time to complete its examination of the recordings before making any judicial decision on them.
The charge sheet includes the killing of Internal Security personnel, inciting sectarian tensions, and acts of theft and looting.
The court decided to adjourn the hearing until April 23 to complete the necessary legal procedures.
Previous hearings
The Palace of Justice in Aleppo held a trial session in mid-March for seven defendants over the incidents on the Syrian coast, as part of an ongoing judicial process examining violations and crimes committed against civilians and security personnel over the past year.
The case has gone through several previous public hearings, during which the court reviewed evidence and heard witnesses, in addition to watching video recordings and photographs said to show the defendants carrying weapons and taking part in armed acts and retaliatory attacks against government forces and civilians.
These proceedings come within what the Syrian authorities describe as a fair and public trial, under the observation of local and international human rights organizations.
The third session was held on March 8 and involved seven defendants facing charges of participating in attacks against security forces and the army, engaging in acts aimed at fueling sedition and civil war, forming armed groups, and inciting sectarian tensions.
During that session, the court reviewed a set of evidence, including phone and video recordings that showed the defendants carrying weapons and participating in the violations.
It also reviewed recordings containing threats against security forces and the army. Those recordings were to be submitted to a specialist expert for examination and evaluation as part of the public trial proceedings.
The session was then suspended, with March 15 set as the date for its continuation, including the questioning of defense witnesses for the defendants, according to Enab Baladi’s correspondent, who attended the hearing.
He said at the time that the adjournment was intended to allow the expert to complete the examination of the recordings and to respond to requests submitted by the defendants’ lawyers.
The first public trial session for the defendants was held on November 18 last year.
The second session was held on December 18. During it, the court allowed the defendants to present their positions before the judge, either to defend themselves, match their previous statements, or provide any new information as part of their right to defense, in the presence of their privately retained or court-appointed lawyers.
if you think the article contain wrong information or you have additional details
