Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over atrocities

DAMASCUS: In a historic ruling, a Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, convicting him of atrocities committed during the country's 14-year civil war. This marks the first such verdict under Syria's transitional leaders who ousted Assad in December 2024, pledging justice and accountability for crimes committed under his rule.

The Damascus court sentenced Assad for premeditated murder, the intentional killing of children under 15, torture, and deprivation of liberty, all classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes. Al-Assad, who fled to Moscow as Islamist-led forces advanced on Damascus after a rapid offensive, was convicted alongside six other ex-military and security officials, including his brother Maher.

The court also handed down death sentences to former Defense Minister Fahd al-Freij and Louay al-Ali, who headed military intelligence in Daraa province during the 2011 uprising. The ruling comes after Syria initiated proceedings against Assad and others accused of crimes, including torture and deprivation of liberty, during the conflict that began with the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protesters in March 2011.

Over half a million people were killed, and millions displaced during the civil war, which saw tens of thousands of people disappear, many into the country's brutal prison system.