Syria launches first trial over coastal violence that killed thousands

"Hundreds of people from the Alawite religious minority, to which ousted President Bashar al-Assad belonged, were killed in the massacres in March. The violence erupted after attacks on the new government's security forces by armed groups aligned with the deposed autocrat. Counterattacks soon spiralled out of control to target civilians in the coastal regions that host the Alawite population. Seven of the defendants in the court on Tuesday were al-Assad loyalists, while the other seven were members of the new government's security forces."

"Charges against the suspects could include sedition, inciting civil war, attacking security forces, murder, looting and leading armed gangs, according to state media. The seven accused from government forces are being prosecuted for premeditated murder. The public and the international community have put pressure on the country's new rulers to commit to judicial reform. The court is sovereign and independent, said Judge Zakaria Bakkar as the trial opened."

Syria has begun prosecuting suspects for deadly clashes that killed hundreds in coastal provinces in March. Fourteen people appeared at Aleppo's Palace of Justice after a government-led investigation. Hundreds of Alawite civilians were killed after attacks on the new government's security forces by armed groups aligned with the deposed autocrat led to counterattacks that targeted coastal communities. Seven defendants are identified as al-Assad loyalists and seven as members of the new government's security forces. Charges may include sedition, inciting civil war, attacking security forces, murder, looting and leading armed gangs. The court was adjourned and the next hearing was rescheduled for December.

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