The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest and a sense of national responsibility the judicial and security developments in Idlib Governorate, particularly those related to the trials and sentences issued against members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which coincided with the release of some former members of the ousted regime.
While we appreciate the exceptional security circumstances that Syrian regions have experienced in recent years, and value the efforts made to maintain stability and security during this delicate transitional phase, we emphasize the importance of balancing security requirements with the obligations of building a state of law, which forms the foundation for a unified and prosperous future Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement recalls that the roots of these issues lie in previous events, as the campaigns of arrests targeting members of Hizb ut-Tahrir began in 2019, with some individuals being detained for periods of up to seven months on charges related to political activity. These were followed by further arrests in July 2022, including raids in areas such as Maaret Misrin in northern Idlib.
The crackdown escalated in May 2023, with the General Security Directorate conducting a large-scale operation on May 7, 2023, targeting the town of Deir Hassan in northern Idlib. According to media reports, this resulted in the arrest of approximately 15 people. Further arrests occurred in September 2023, and continued into mid-July 2023 as part of broader security campaigns.
These arrests were made in the context of accusations of political activism, such as organizing peaceful demonstrations since 2017, following the establishment of the Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib.
The most recent court rulings were issued in December 2025, including prison sentences ranging from three to ten years for some members, such as Abdul Razzaq al-Masri (10 years), Sabri Abbas (8 years), and Ali Dalou (6 years).
These sentences coincided with the release of others in October 2025, including Muhammad al-Sheikh, Mustafa al-Agha, Muhammad Assaf, and Fatih Tarmanini. Meanwhile, December 2025 saw the release of dozens of members and officers of the former regime, including approximately 70 officers, raising questions about the standards of transitional justice.
The Syrian Future Movement expresses its concern regarding the secrecy surrounding some of these trials, which may be temporarily justified in sensitive security situations to protect participants or prevent escalation, as was the case with trials held in secret locations with masked judges.
However, these measures must remain exceptional and time-limited to avoid undermining confidence in the judicial system.
Therefore, the Syrian Future Movement calls for a gradual and rapid transition to a transparent and public judicial system that guarantees open trials, the full right to defense, the possibility of appeal before independent bodies, and the participation of local and international observers to enhance integrity.
We also emphasize the need to review judicial laws to align with international human rights standards, taking into account the transitional circumstances in the initial phase, where temporary mechanisms can be adopted to achieve a balance between security and justice without jeopardizing stability.
In this context, the Syrian Future Movement views these developments with a forward-looking national perspective, prioritizing the unity of the Syrian people and their best interests above all else.
We believe that transitional justice must be comprehensive and non-selective, focusing on fair accountability for all parties and fostering social cohesion rather than deepening divisions.
Therefore, we in the Syrian Future Movement call upon the relevant authorities and all Syrian stakeholders to launch a comprehensive national dialogue aimed at formulating fundamental judicial reforms that guarantee equality before the law, protect freedom of opinion and expression, reflect the values of the Syrian revolution—freedom, justice, and human dignity—and embody the hierarchical structure of a modern nation-state.
Building a new Syria requires a concerted effort to overcome the painful past and forge a future that unites everyone under the rule of law and a civil state.
