Syria sentences Assad-era top Muslim cleric to life imprisonment

A Syrian court on Monday handed a life sentence to Ahmad Hassoun, the country’s former grand mufti under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, convicting him of crimes including inciting sectarian strife and exploiting his position.Hassoun, the 10th Assad-era figure to be sentenced under the new authorities, was Syria’s top Muslim cleric for 16 years.He was known for his close ties to the former president and frequent appearances alongside him on religious occasions.Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said…