Damascus, July 29 (SANA)The Fourth Criminal Court at thePalace of Justicein Damascus held Wednesday the fourth session of the trial of defendantWassim al-Assad, with the next session scheduled for August 5.

Al-Assad is accused of involvement in several crimes against the Syrian people during the era of the ousted regime.

The session was chaired by JudgeFakhr al-Din al-Aryanand attended by representatives of national and international human rights organizations.

The previous session, held on July 22, was a closed hearing during which public prosecution witnesses presented their testimonies before the court panel in the presence of the defendant, in accordance with legal procedures.

The first trial session was held on June 24. Al-Assad faces several charges, most notably managing and forming irregular armed groups linked to the Fourth Division of the ousted regime’s forces since the beginning of 2011.

The charges also include the groups’ involvement in military operations targeting civilian areas in Eastern Ghouta, particularly al-Malihah, which resulted in the killing of a large number of civilians.

During the July 22 hearing, the public prosecution formally requested the maximum penalty of death, with final sentencing proceedings underway.

As part of thetransitional justiceprocess, the Syrian judiciary continues to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the era of the ousted regime, with the aim of uncovering the truth, achieving justice for victims, and holding those responsible accountable in accordance with judicial procedures.