Execution in Damascus: Details of Wesim Al‑Assad's Sentence Amid Armed and Drug Trafficking Allegations

Damascus' Fourth Criminal Court sentenced Wesim Badi Al‑Assad, cousin of former Syrian president, to death after convicting him of murder, torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The verdict was delivered on 18 August 2026 during the sixth hearing, and ordered the seizure of all his assets for the state treasury.

Crimes and Sentence

State news agency SANA reported that the court found Wesim responsible for killing multiple individuals, torturing them, and committing war crimes against civilians in Eastern Ghouta, especially in the town of Al‑Meliha. His armed groups, first named “Military Security Shield” then “Assad Shield”, carried out mass killings and widespread arrests.

The court also noted that a militia linked to him attacked a shop in Jerimana near Damascus, stealing its contents and kidnapping the owner for opposing the regime. Judge Fakhreddine Al‑Aryan said the evidence left no doubt about Wesim’s involvement.

Background of Wesim Al‑Assad

Born in 1980 into the influential Assad family, Wesim is a cousin of Bashar al‑Assad; his older brother Ammar served in parliament and led the Engineers’ Syndicate in Lattakia. Wesim flaunted wealth on social media, displaying luxury cars and apartments, and founded “Assad Al‑Coast” trading company, later accused of serving as a front for drug trafficking.

He briefly joined the Russian‑backed Fifth Assault Brigade before withdrawing and claiming a return to civilian life. In 2011 he created the “Shams” artistic group to support the government and simultaneously formed armed units to enforce regime control in coastal areas, collaborating with Colonel Ghiyath Dala and Bashar’s brother, Maher al‑Assad.

Wesim was detained in June 2025; his trial covered charges ranging from arms financing to crimes against humanity, culminating in the death sentence.