A shocking execution video featuring Syria’s newly appointed Minister of Justice, Shadi Al-Waisi, has sparked a global outcry. In the footage, shared by award-winning journalist Rami Jarrah, Al-Waisi reads death sentences for two women accused of infidelity before they are shot in the head.
The chilling event has gained widespread attention, with two versions of the video circulating online. The Syrian fact-checking site Verify-sy analyzed the clips, comparing them with recent images and recordings of Al-Waisi. Their findings leave little doubt, with both facial features and voice matching the current minister.
Adding weight to the claims, sources within Syria’s al-Qaeda-led government have confirmed the video’s authenticity. An unnamed representative stated that Al-Waisi was a judge at the time and noted, “The execution followed the rules at that time.” However, they sought to distance the government from the incident, saying, “We would like to point out that this process reflects a chapter we have left behind.”
The footage reportedly dates back to 2015 in Idlib, a region then controlled by IS, the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, and other extremist groups. At the time, Idlib was under al-Qaeda’s jurisdiction, a period marked by its harsh judicial practices.
This revelation has ignited fierce debate about the evolution of Syria’s al-Qaeda-led judicial system and its implications for international relations. The appointment of a minister linked to such a past raises serious concerns about the country’s trajectory and commitment to justice reform.
