Damascus, Aug. 6 (SANA)The trial of defendantAhmad Badr al-Din Hassounhas entered its final stage ahead of a court verdict, following the completion of final procedural steps before the Fourth Criminal Court, according to theNational Commission for Transitional Justice.

Lawyer Radif Mustafa, Director of the Accountability and Justice Department at the commission, said Thursday that the latest court hearing marked one of the concluding stages of the case after the Public Prosecution presented its final submissions, the plaintiff’s lawyer delivered closing arguments, and the court heard the defendant’s final statement.

Mustafa said the proceedings indicate that the presentation of evidence and legal arguments has been completed, leaving the case ready for the court to issue its ruling in accordance with the law and the guarantees of a fair trial.

He added that Hassoun case, along with several other cases heard in recent months, has reached its final judicial phase and is ready for judgment following the completion of all legal procedures, hearings and pleadings.

Mustafa said the expected rulings would represent an important step in reinforcing the principle of accountability and demonstrate that those accused of serious crimes would be held accountable through judicial proceedings that safeguard the rights of all parties.

Earlier Thursday, the Fourth Criminal Court referred the case for deliberation and judgment after hearing the prosecution, the plaintiff, the defense and the defendant’s final statement during its fifth hearing.

The court unanimously setAug. 24as the date for issuing its verdict.

Hassoun‘s trial began onJune 25. According to the indictment, he faces charges including exploiting his position as Grand Mufti to establish extensive relations outside official state channels with the head of the deposed regime, senior security and military officials, and sectarian militia leaders.He is also accused of inciting the suppression of civilians in areas that rose up during the Syrian revolution, publicly supporting officers accused of war crimes, and backing the Iranian and Russian military interventions in Syria.F.J./M.Z.