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Judicial Decision Halts Trial of Former Education Minister Darm Tabbaa Amid Confusion Over Release
On Wednesday, August 7, 2025, the Referral Judge in the Syrian capital, Damascus, issued a decision to halt the trial of former Minister of Education Darm Tabbaa and ordered his release — effectively acquitting him of the corruption charges previously leveled against him.
Tabbaa had earlier been detained in connection with administrative and financial corruption cases. He was later released by an investigative judge’s decision, which was subsequently appealed by the Public Prosecution, bringing the case back into judicial proceedings before it was ultimately dismissed today by the referral court.
Despite the ruling, a confidential source told Zaman Al-Wasl newspaper that the release has not yet been implemented, and the former minister remains in custody, raising questions about potential administrative delays or external interference hindering the execution of the judicial order.
The case of Darm Tabbaa has sparked considerable public debate in Syria, particularly in light of increasing discourse around combating official corruption and the inconsistent legal treatment of defendants depending on their political influence and positions of power.
