A Syrian court conducted the first hearing Sunday in the trial of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad and senior figures from his government, one of whom appeared in person. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Nanar Hawach, Senior Analyst for Syria at the International Crisis Group, says that despite most perpetrators being tried in absentia, "transitional justice is integral for Syria to move on past the civil war and past atrocities".
According to experts, trials against senior Asad officials are an important step towards stabilising the country. However, in other crimes, the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa closes its eyes.