Syria’s newly appointed Justice Minister, Shadi al-Waisi, is at the centre of a growing controversy after videos purportedly showing him overseeing the execution of two women in 2015 resurfaced.
The footage, verified by the fact-checking platform Verify-Sy, dates back to the time when Idlib was under the control of the Al-Nusra Front, a jihadist group and precursor to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The revelations have sparked outrage domestically and internationally, while also raising concerns about potential disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising Syria’s interim government.
Execution Footage Sparks Outrage
The videos depict two women convicted of prostitution and adultery being executed under the supervision of al-Waisi, who was then a religious official with the Al-Nusra Front. In one clip, a woman pleads to see her children before being shot in the head, while al-Waisi and others shout “God is great” following the act. The executions occurred during a period of strict Sharia enforcement in Idlib, a city controlled by the Al-Nusra Front during the Syrian civil war.
Verify-Sy confirmed the authenticity of the footage and identified al-Waisi as the individual delivering the sentences. Syrian social media erupted with calls for his resignation, while human rights advocates raised concerns over the implications of such an individual heading the justice ministry.
HTS Response and Government Silence
Officials from the HTS-led administration, which has taken control following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, defended the footage as reflective of a bygone era. An unnamed HTS official, speaking to Verify-Sy, stated that the executions represented “the enforcement of the law at a specific time and place, in accordance with the laws in effect then.” The official also claimed that the current government had moved beyond such practices and promised a “thorough review” of al-Waisi’s actions.
Despite the mounting criticism, neither the Syrian interim government, led by HTS figure Ahmad al-Shara, nor al-Waisi himself has commented on the videos. Al-Shara, who has worked to distance himself and HTS from their Al-Qaeda roots, faces renewed scrutiny as the international community questions the group’s ability to govern Syria under the rule of law.
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Disinformation Campaigns or Genuine Concern?
The controversy has been further complicated by allegations of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the HTS-led government. Online investigators and experts have suggested that the resurfacing of the videos could be part of efforts by forces loyal to the former Assad regime, as well as Iranian and Russian-backed groups, to discredit the new administration.
In a comment to The National, a UAE-based news outlet, Zouhair Al Shimale, a London-based Syrian disinformation researcher and communications manager at Verify-Sy, said that pro-Assad actors have amplified the footage on social media platforms, particularly through accounts linked to Iranian-backed militias and Russian influencers. According to Al Shimale, these groups aim to portray HTS as an extremist organisation incapable of leading Syria, thereby obstructing efforts to normalise relations between the new government and the West.
While Al Shimale did not dispute Verify-Sy’s findings regarding al-Waisi’s involvement, he warned against accepting all online narratives at face value. “Some of these accounts selectively use human rights concerns to manipulate public opinion, particularly in Western nations, and create a public relations crisis for the Syrian government,” he told The National.
A Fragile Transition
The controversy underscores the precarious nature of Syria’s transition under HTS leadership, highlighting the delicate balance between its efforts to rebrand and the lingering shadows of its past. The group has attempted to distance itself from its jihadist roots by revoking some of its stricter measures and pledging governance rooted in a rule-of-law framework.
However, the association with figures like Shadi al-Waisi risks severely undermining these efforts, casting doubt on the group’s credibility.
The resurfaced videos also bring to light the broader challenges facing the HTS-led administration, which is tasked with the monumental undertaking of rebuilding a war-torn nation while convincing both domestic and international audiences of its transformation. Yet, the appointment of individuals with controversial histories raises serious questions about the sincerity of HTS’s evolution and its commitment to democratic principles, threatening to derail its attempts at legitimacy and reform.
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