The Public Prosecution in Damascus demanded the execution of Wasim al-Assad, the cousin of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, during the third session of his trial before the Fourth Criminal Court.

The National Authority for Transitional Justice announced that the prosecution's request was based on 'the evidence and testimonies proving the defendant's involvement in crimes of premeditated murder, drug trafficking, and attacks on national security and public peace,' which prompted it to demand the maximum penalty against him.

In response, Wasim al-Assad and his defense team reiterated their denial of all charges against him, pleading for 'mercy and justice.'

The session was presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian, with representatives of local and international human rights organizations in attendance. The court heard testimonies from public prosecution witnesses before announcing the adjournment of the trial until July 29, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The first session was held on June 24, when Wasim al-Assad appeared before the judiciary for the first time, facing charges related to 'managing and forming irregular armed groups under the mandate of Brigadier General Ghiyath Dalla, commander of a brigade in the Fourth Division of the former regime led by Maher al-Assad, since early 2011, and participating in extensive military operations targeting civilian areas in eastern Ghouta, particularly the town of al-Mleiha, resulting in the deaths of a large number of civilians.'

The second session was held on July 15, during which the court heard public prosecution witnesses in the presence of human rights organization representatives. Documents, photos, and video recordings related to the case file were also presented.

The Syrian Ministry of Interior had announced on June 21, 2025, the arrest of Wasim al-Assad on the Syrian-Lebanese border in a security operation carried out in coordination with the General Intelligence Service.