(https://tms.fmm.io) (../../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css) (https://www.france24.com/build/fonts/inter_latin.640b10a7966d94927c2ec64a71918e48.woff2) (../../build/css/article.6060d2b8357215f6241e.css) (../../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css) (../../build/css/root.2747ef20ce768dfe9d88.css)  (../../build/css/article.6060d2b8357215f6241e.css) (../../build/css/article.6060d2b8357215f6241e.css)  Syrian court issues first sentences over 2025 massacres of Alawites - France 24 (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html) (../../favicon.ico) (https://www.france24.com/apple-touch-icon.png) (../../favicon-32x32.png) (../../favicon-194x194.png) (../../android-chrome-192x192.png) (../../favicon-16x16.png) (../site.manifest) (https://www.france24.com/safari-pinned-tab.svg)    (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#main-content) Skip to main content (https://www.france24.com/en/) France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24)     (https://www.france24.com/en/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-home)   Home    (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/latest-shows/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-replay)   Shows    (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-rewind-clock)   Newsfeed    (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv)   Live     en (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down)    (https://www.france24.com/fr/) Français    (https://www.france24.com/en/) English    (https://www.france24.com/es/) Español    (https://www.france24.com/ar/) عربي          (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-settings)   Settings (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down)     (https://emailing.france24.com/en/subscribe) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-mail)   Sign up for newsletters    (https://www.france24.com/en/news-alerts-settings) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-bell)   Manage subscription to notifications    (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-consent)   Manage my privacy settings          (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#picto-burger)   Menu     (https://www.france24.com/en/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-home)   Home    (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/latest-shows/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-replay)   Shows    (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv)   Live    (https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-rewind-clock)   Newsfeed    (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#picto-burger)   Menu     (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-cross)   Close  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/israel-hamas-war/) Mideast conflict  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/nepal/) Nepal-Tibet deadly floods  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/heatwave/) Heatwave    (https://www.france24.com/en/live) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-tv)   France 24 live   (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/) See all shows   (https://www.france24.com/en/replay/latest-news) Latest Newscast     (https://www.france24.com/en/replay/closed-captioned-newscast) Closed-captioned Newscast   (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-guide) TV guide   (https://howtowatch.france24.com/en/) Watch France 24 on TV     Headings  Topics  (https://www.france24.com/en/environment)  Environment   (https://www.france24.com/en/business-tech/)  Business / Tech   (https://www.france24.com/en/sport/)  Sport   (https://www.france24.com/en/culture/)  Culture   (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/the-bright-side/) The Bright Side   (https://www.france24.com/en/webdocumentaries/) Infographics   (https://www.france24.com/en/fight-the-fake/) Fight the Fake   (https://www.france24.com/en/the-observers/) The Observers   (https://www.france24.com/en/sponsored-contents/) Sponsored contents     By region  (https://www.france24.com/en/france/)  France   (https://www.france24.com/en/africa/)  Africa   (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/)  Middle East   (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/)  Americas   (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/)  Europe   (https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/)  Asia-Pacific         (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down)   Previous  (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down)   Next   (https://www.france24.com/en/france/)  France   (https://www.france24.com/en/africa/)  Africa   (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/)  Middle East   (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/)  Americas   (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/)  Europe   (https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/)  Asia-Pacific         Advertising (Report this ad) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-report-ad)       (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#)  (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#)  (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#)    (https://www.france24.com/en/) Home   (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-caret-down)   (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/) Middle East     Syrian court issues first sentences over 2025 massacres of Alawites  Middle East   Syria's judiciary on Thursday issued its first verdicts over the massacres of Alawites on the Syrian coast last year, sentencing a former member of government forces to 20 years in prison. A supporter of deposed president Bashar al-Assad received a death sentence and another was sentenced to life in jail.   Issued on: 17/09/2026 - 11:13   (Reading time) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-clock)    1 min Reading time   Share (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-share)      By:  (https://www.france24.com/en/author/france-24/) (FRANCE 24) FRANCE 24       (People in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on March 11, 2025 protest against a recent wave of sectarian violence targeting Syria's Alawite minority.)  People in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli protest against sectarian violence targeting the Alawite minority, in March 2025.        © Delil Souleiman, AFP    A court in (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/syria/) Syria on Thursday sentenced a former member of government forces to 20 years in prison, while two supporters of the deposed government received a death sentence and life in prison, in the first verdicts over the (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20251118-syria-opens-first-public-trial-over-march-massacres-alawite-coastal-region) killing of Alawites on the Syrian coast last year. Fourteen people were accused of involvement in massacres, in a trial that opened last November. They were seven government forces members and seven supporters of former President (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/bashar-al-assad/) Bashar al-Assad . Read more (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20250321-exclusive-syria-s-latakia-province-still-reeling-from-massacres-of-alawites) Exclusive: Syria's Latakia province reels after massacre of Alawites  (FRANCE 24 with AFP)     Read next   (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20251208-syrian-city-of-homs-trapped-in-cycle-of-sectarian-violence) (FOCUS)  (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play)      Focus (https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/focus/20251208-syrian-city-of-homs-trapped-in-cycle-of-sectarian-violence) (Syrian city of Homs trapped in cycle of sectarian violence) Syrian city of Homs trapped in cycle of sectarian violence    Middle East    (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250722-syria-investigation-finds-more-than-1-400-killed-in-march-sectarian-violence) (Syrian Alawite families fleeing violence in Syria carry their luggage across a river into northern Lebanon, near the village of Heker al-Daher, on March 11, 2025.)   (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20250722-syria-investigation-finds-more-than-1-400-killed-in-march-sectarian-violence) (Syria investigation finds more than 1,400 killed in March sectarian violence) Syria investigation finds more than 1,400 killed in March sectarian violence    Middle East          Today's top stories   (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260917-live-explosions-kyiv-us-congress-sanctions-moscow) (Ukraine live: Ukraine accuses Russia of striking ship in Black Sea as explosions shake Kyiv) Ukraine live: Ukraine accuses Russia of striking ship in Black Sea as explosions shake Kyiv  Live  Europe     (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260917-live-carney-to-speak-after-trump-threatens-more-eu-tariffs-over-canada-s-associate-member-bid) (Live: Carney to speak after Trump threatens more EU tariffs over Canada's associate member bid) Live: Carney to speak after Trump threatens more EU tariffs over Canada's associate member bid  Live  Europe     (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260917-middle-east-live-paris-talks-lebanese-army-unifil-israel-iran-yemen) (Middle East live: Paris talks aim to bolster Lebanese army as end of UN mission looms) Middle East live: Paris talks aim to bolster Lebanese army as end of UN mission looms  Live  Middle East     (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260917-us-palestinian-leader-visa-un-general-assembly-new-york) (US again denies Palestinian leader visa for UN General Assembly) US again denies Palestinian leader visa for UN General Assembly   Americas     (https://www.france24.com/en/earth/20260917-nasa-finds-a-once-in-a-century-lunar-crater-bigger-than-the-roman-colosseum) (NASA finds a 'once in a century' lunar crater, bigger than the Roman Colosseum) NASA finds a 'once in a century' lunar crater, bigger than the Roman Colosseum   Earth        Advertising (Report this ad) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-report-ad)           Most read   1 (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260915-nato-fighter-jets-shoot-down-drone-over-lithuania-after-latest-incursion) NATO downs drone over Lithuania   As it happened  Europe       2 (https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20260914-us-space-force-confirms-weapons-deployed-in-space-for-first-time) US Space Force confirms weapons deployed in space for first time    Americas       3 (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260916-live-eu-chief-ursula-von-der-leyen-gives-state-of-the-union-address) EU chief calls for creation of ‘European Security Council’, backs partnership with Canada    Europe   (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-play)        4 (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260915-middle-east-live-houthi-attacks-wound-13-civilians-in-southern-saudi-arabia) Saudi Arabia vows to hit back ‘firmly’ after Houthi attacks   As it happened  Middle East       5 (https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20260916-middle-east-live-saudi-arabia-accuses-houthi-rebels-of-launching-a-drone-strike-on-mecca) Houthis report Saudi strikes as Riyadh accuses them of targeting Mecca   As it happened  Middle East       6 (https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260915-nato-jets-down-drone-over-lithuania-as-russian-ship-fires-flares-at-danish-helicopter) NATO jets down drone over Lithuania as Russian ship fires flares at Danish helicopter    Europe         Keywords for this article (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/syria/) (Syria) Syria  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/alawite/) (Alawites) Alawites  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/sectarian-violence/) (Sectarian violence) Sectarian violence       Happening now (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/usa/) USA  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/france/) France  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/iran-conflict/) Iran war  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/donald-trump/) Donald Trump  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/russia/) Russia    International (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/usa/) USA  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/united-kingdom/) United Kingdom  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/canada/) Canada  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/australia/) Australia  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/germany/) Germany  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/india/) India  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/netherlands/) Netherlands  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/south-africa/) South Africa  (https://www.france24.com/en/tag/italy/) Italy      About France 24 (https://www.france24.com/en/about-us) Who are we?  (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/our-commitments/ethics-and-transparency/) Ethics and transparency  (https://www.pressefmm.com/section/france-24/?lang=en) Press room  (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24) Contact France 24  (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=edito) Report a problem with our content  (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=site) Report a technical issue  (https://www.francetvpub.fr/en/brands/france-24/) Advertising  (https://www.francemm.com/en/contact?brand=f24&topic=vente_contenu) Content licensing  (https://recrutement.francemm.com) Join us      France Médias Monde websites (https://www.rfi.fr/en/) RFI  (https://francaisfacile.rfi.fr/en/) Learn French  (https://www.rfi-instrumental.com/en) RFI Instrumental  (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/) MCD  (https://www.infomigrants.net/en/) InfoMigrants  (https://entr.net/en/) ENTR  (https://www.zoa.media/) ZOA  (https://www.cfi.fr/en) CFI  (https://academie.france24-mcd-rfi.com/en) Académie  (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/) France Médias Monde      Services (https://emailing.france24.com/en/subscribe) Newsletters  (https://www.france24.com/en/rss-feeds) RSS feeds  (https://howtowatch.france24.com/en/) Watch France 24 on TV    Application (https://www.france24.com/en/applications) Download the France 24 app    (https://www.rfi.fr/en/) (RFI) RFI (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-rfi)     (https://www.france24.com/en/) (France 24) France 24 (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24)     (https://www.mc-doualiya.com/) (مونت كارلو الدولية / MCD) مونت كارلو الدولية / MCD (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-mcd)     (https://www.francemediasmonde.com/en/) (France Médias Monde) France Médias Monde (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-fmm)       (https://www.francemm.com/en/legal-notice) Legal notice  (https://www.france24.com/en/accessibility) Accessibility: partially compliant  (https://www.francemm.com/en/privacy) Privacy  (https://www.francemm.com/en/cookies) Cookies  (20260917-syrian-court-issues-first-sentences-over-2025-massacres-of-alawites.html#) Manage my privacy settings  (https://www.france24.com/en/news-alerts-settings) Notifications    (https://f24.my/FBen) (Facebook) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-facebook)   Facebook   (https://f24.my/BSen) (Bluesky) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-bluesky)   Bluesky   (https://f24.my/THen) (Threads) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-threads)   Threads   (https://f24.my/IGen) (Instagram) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-instagram)   Instagram   (https://f24.my/YTen) (YouTube) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-youtube)   YouTube   (https://f24.my/TKen) (TikTok) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-tiktok)   TikTok   (https://f24.my/WAen) (WhatsApp) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-whatsapp)   WhatsApp   (https://f24.my/TGen) (Telegram) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-telegram)   Telegram   (https://f24.my/SC) (SoundCloud) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-soundcloud)   SoundCloud   (https://f24.my/GDen) (Add to my preferred sources) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-google-discover)   Add to my preferred sources   (https://f24.my/GN) (Follow on Google News) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-logo-google-news)   Follow on Google News     © 2026 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. France 24 is not responsible for the content of external websites. Audience ratings certified by ACPM.(https://www.acpm.fr/Support-Numerique/site/france24-com) (ACPM) (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-acpm)   ACPM            (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#logo-france24)    Page not found (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-cross)    (/build/images/svg/sprite.68b43361c11f23b39049016b32e6ae31.svg#icon-broken-page)    The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.