Syria: Court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia in landmark trial

On Tuesday, a Damascus court delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia. The court also handed down the same sentence to Assad's brother, Maher, and a former security official, Atef Najib, on charges of murder, torture, and incitement to murder.

Najib appeared in court, while Bashar and Maher were tried while absent. The court found Assad guilty of premeditated murder, including of children, as well as torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity. This ruling marks the first under the transitional authorities in Syria.

Assad had fled the country with his family to Moscow in December 2024 as armed opposition forces approached Damascus. This development comes from a developing story, with more updates anticipated soon.