Syria sentences absent former leader Bashar al-Assad to death
The 60-year-old, who was president of Syria for 24 years until 2024 before fleeing to Moscow, was found guilty of crimes including killings, torture, and arbitrary arrest.
Damascus, Syria - Ousted former President Bashar al-Assad has been sentenced to death by a Syrian court for crimes including killings, torture, and arbitrary arrest during his 14-year rule. The trial took place in absentia, with Assad remaining in Moscow. His cousin, Atef Najib, also received a death sentence as a former security official.
The court cited premeditated murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. Assad, 60 years old, fled Damascus amid rebel advances nearly two years ago. It remains unclear if Syria's new leadership will extradite Assad from Russia.
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