The Syrian Future Movement is following with grave concern the case of Sheikh Dr. Hassan Muhammad Ali Abara, a resident of the Al-Shamas neighborhood in Homs. Available information indicates that he has been detained by Syrian authorities since March 5, 2026, without any official statement clarifying the nature of the charges against him, the judicial body handling his case, or the legal procedures taken against him. This information is based on media reports and available sources up to the date of this statement.
The Syrian Future Movement’s position on this case stems from its unwavering commitment to the principles of the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the consolidation of the constitutional guarantees demanded by the Syrian people. It also reflects the Movement’s belief that the transitional phase represents a true test of the new Syrian state’s ability to build institutions based on justice and transparency, where all procedures are subject to the authority of the law and the judiciary.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that demanding guarantees of a fair trial does not imply adopting any preconceived position regarding the innocence or guilt of any individual. Rather, it is a defense of a fundamental constitutional principle stipulating that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty by a judicial ruling issued by the competent court, following a fair trial that guarantees all rights of defense.
The Syrian Future Movement also affirms that this statement stems from a commitment to supporting the process of building a state governed by the rule of law, and is not intended to cast doubt on state institutions or undermine their efforts. Instead, it arises from the conviction that responsible legal criticism contributes to strengthening trust in institutions and consolidating the legitimacy of a state based on respect for the constitution and the law.
First: The Constitutional and Legal Framework
The Constitutional Declaration of the Syrian Arab Republic of 2025 enshrined a number of fundamental principles, foremost among them the protection of personal freedom and its inadmissibility except in accordance with the provisions of the law and by order of the competent judicial authority.
It also affirmed the principle of the presumption of innocence, stating that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial that guarantees their full rights of defense.
It also stipulated guaranteeing the right to litigation, building a state of law and institutions, and respecting public rights and freedoms.
On the other hand, the Syrian Code of Criminal Procedure continues to establish procedural safeguards related to arrest, investigation, and defense. Among the most prominent of these safeguards are presenting the detainee before the competent judicial authority within the period specified by law, enabling them to consult a lawyer, informing them of the legal reasons for their detention, and subjecting all investigative procedures to judicial oversight.
Furthermore, the Syrian Penal Code establishes the principle of legality in criminal law, which is based on the principle that there is no crime or punishment except by legal text, that punishment is personal, and criminalizes any unlawful deprivation of liberty outside the frameworks defined by law.
Second: The Case in Light of Available Information
Based on what has been published by reliable media outlets and the information circulated up to the date of this statement, the nature of the charges against Sheikh Dr. Hassan Muhammad Ali Abara has not been officially announced, nor has any official information been published regarding the competent judicial authority reviewing his case or the legal procedures taken against him.
If the information circulating about his continued detention without access to a lawyer, or without a clear announcement of the legal basis for his arrest, is accurate, this raises legal questions that warrant clarification from the relevant authorities, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitutional Declaration and applicable laws.
Furthermore, the media reports regarding his subjection to what has been termed “counseling or intellectual evaluation sessions,” if true, require official clarification. Procedures affecting personal freedom must be based on a clear legal foundation and subject to the supervision of the competent judicial authority.
Therefore, transparency in announcing the legal procedures undertaken not only protects the rights of the detainee but also safeguards state institutions from the spread of rumors and strengthens public trust in the justice system.
Third: The Transitional Phase and the Responsibility of Establishing the Rule of Law
Since the fall of the previous regime, Syria has witnessed positive steps toward rebuilding its legal and institutional framework.
Among the most prominent of these steps are the issuance of the 2025 Constitutional Declaration, the formation of the National Commission for Transitional Justice, and efforts to address the judicial legacy left by the exceptional courts of past decades.
The Syrian Future Movement views these steps with appreciation and considers them an important foundation for building a modern state based on the rule of law.
However, the success of this process remains contingent on the extent to which these principles are reflected in the daily practices of state institutions.
Trust is not built on legal texts alone, but also on clear procedures, respect for legal guarantees, and the subjection of all authorities to judicial oversight. The strength of the state is not measured by its capacity for arrest or detention.
Rather, it is measured by its ability to subject all its procedures to the provisions of the law and to demonstrate this to the public with complete transparency.
We in the Syrian Future Movement, based on constitutional and legal principles, affirm that respect for legal guarantees is one of the most important pillars for building the new Syria.
We believe that any measure affecting individual freedoms must be based on a clear legal foundation, subject to the oversight of the competent judiciary, and accompanied by all the guarantees stipulated in the Constitutional Declaration and applicable laws.
We also emphasize that the application of the law does not conflict with the protection of public security. On the contrary, the rule of law is the true guarantee of the state’s stability and the strengthening of citizens’ trust in its institutions.
If the competent authorities possess legal evidence warranting prosecution, the proper course of action is to refer the case to the competent judiciary, ensuring the accused has all rights of defense, leading to a fair and transparent judicial ruling.
However, if there are no legal justifications for continued detention, addressing the matter in accordance with the law strengthens the state’s authority and affirms its commitment to the principles upon which the new Syria was founded.
We in the Syrian Future Movement affirm that the manner in which such matters are handled
These cases will be a crucial benchmark for measuring the extent to which the rule of law is established during the transitional phase.
True transitional justice is not limited to holding perpetrators of past violations accountable; it also requires building a legal framework that prevents the recurrence of any practice that violates the constitution or the guarantees of a fair trial, regardless of its source.
The Syrian people did not make their sacrifices to replace one form of government with another, but rather to build a state governed by the rule of law, where everyone is subject to its authority, human dignity is protected, freedom is respected, and every accused person is guaranteed the right to defense and a fair trial. This is an indispensable foundation for building the free and just Syria that all its citizens aspire to.
