A military criminal court in the town of al-Rai in Aleppo’s countryside issued a death sentence against the suspects involved in the assassination of activist Mohammed Abdul Latif (Abu Ghannoum) and his pregnant wife, about a year and a half ago in the city of al-Bab, eastern Aleppo.

Lawyer Ahmad al-Mousa explained to Enab Baladi that the court’s decision was issued today, Wednesday, May 22, and mandated the death penalty by hanging until death for the premeditated murder of Abu Ghannoum. The convicted are Anwar al-Suleiman, Mohammed al-Akil, and Mohammed al-Mugheer.

The decision also sentenced Murad Khallou to three months in prison for covering up the murder and failing to notify the official authorities, according to the lawyer.

Al-Mousa, a lawyer with the Aleppo Free Lawyers’ Association, stated that the decision can be appealed before the Court of Cassation and has not yet become final.

Al-Mousa viewed today’s verdict as a result of the diligence and perseverance of the Free Lawyers of Aleppo, in defending the oppressed and pursuing criminals, and striving to establish justice.

In a previous conversation with Enab Baladi, a rights source in Aleppo countryside said that the death sentence is issued with a stay of execution in areas controlled by the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), and there are more than 100 unexecuted death sentences in the courts of Aleppo countryside.

The body of media activist Mohammed Abdul Latif (Abu Ghannoum) in the city of al-Bab in the eastern countryside of Aleppo – October 8, 2022 (Mohammed Hajjar/Facebook)

After a year and seven months

On October 7, 2022, unknown fighters later found to be affiliated with the group Abu Sultan al-Diri within al-Hamza Division (Al-Hamzat), linked to the Syrian National Army backed by Turkey, assassinated activist Mohammed Abdul Latif (Abu Ghannoum) and his pregnant wife.

On November 10, 2022, the then director of the Military Police, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Kurdi, told Enab Baladi that the case file of Abu Ghannoum’s assassination had been referred to the military judiciary, with ongoing demands to disclose the investigation results and all those involved in the operation.

Abu Ghannoum was a prominent media activist in the north of Syria, known for his frequent appearances in protests and demonstrations, organizing them, and calling for them for various reasons and demands.

The activist criticized the widespread corruption in all aspects of life in the region, whether service, economic, military, security, or social, through his posts on social media or even in on-ground demonstrations.

The regions controlled by the Syrian National Army, including the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo and the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain in northeastern Syria, witness frequent assassinations and bombings, resulting in casualties among both military personnel and civilians.

On April 25, masked individuals executed two men by shooting near the quadruple intersection of Azaz market in Aleppo’s northern countryside, due to their alleged involvement in a bombing that occurred in the city on March 31. Following the incident, the Interim Government condemned the act and announced the detention of the individuals who kidnapped and executed the accused bombers.