Fri Jul 25 06:54:54 UTC 2025: ## France Considers Stripping Assad’s Immunity, Paving Way for Trial and Setting Global Precedent
**Paris, France** – France’s highest court, the Cour de Cassation, is poised to deliver a landmark ruling that could strip former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of his state immunity. The decision, expected this Friday, stems from accusations of war crimes, specifically the use of chemical weapons in the Ghouta attack of 2013 and Douma in 2018.
If the court rules against al-Assad, it would potentially allow for his trial in absentia in France. Al-Assad, currently in exile in Russia, has consistently denied involvement in the chemical attacks. However, Syrian activists and European prosecutors have compiled extensive evidence implicating him and his regime.
The significance of the ruling extends far beyond the case against al-Assad. Human rights activists and legal experts believe that stripping his immunity could establish a crucial precedent, enabling the prosecution of other current and former government leaders linked to atrocities around the world.
“It is not only about Syrians,” said Mazen Darwish, president of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression. “This will open the door for the victims from any country and this will be the first time that a domestic investigative judge has the right to issue an arrest warrant for a president during his rule.” Darwish’s organization has been instrumental in collecting evidence of war crimes in Syria.
The potential impact could be far-reaching. Activists suggest that the ruling could empower them to pursue cases against other Syrian government officials, such as former Central Bank Governor and Minister of Economy Adib Mayaleh, on charges like money laundering.
Al-Assad’s regime, which followed his father Hafez al-Assad’s long rule, was challenged during the Arab Spring in 2011. The resulting brutal civil war has claimed over half a million lives, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), and displaced millions more. The conflict also exacerbated sectarian tensions, which continue to fuel violence in the region.
The French court’s decision comes at a time when the International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for leaders accused of atrocities in various conflicts. A ruling against al-Assad could bolster the legal framework for holding powerful individuals accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, regardless of their current or former positions.
While the Syrian government denied responsibility for the Ghouta attack in 2013, the United States threatened military action. Ultimately, a deal brokered with Moscow led to al-Assad relinquishing his chemical weapons stockpile, paving the way for Russia’s increased influence in the war-torn country. Now, the French court’s decision has the potential to significantly shift the balance, furthering efforts to pursue accountability for atrocities committed in Syria and potentially beyond.
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