Syria's First Public Trial: A Step Toward Transitional Justice

An unprecedented public trial against officials from Bashar Assad's regime commenced in Damascus, amid national anticipation and international scrutiny.

Atef Najib, once a brigadier general, is facing accusations related to the 2011 arrest and torture of teenagers, which ignited nationwide protests. These events spiraled into a brutal civil war.

While Assad evades justice in Russia, Syria's interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa, criticized for stalling reforms, is now actively prosecuting past atrocities to pave the way for national reconciliation.

(With inputs from agencies.)