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

Syria's interim authorities sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on Tuesday, convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country's 14-year civil war. The ruling marks the first such verdict under the transitional government, which took power in December 2024 with a pledge to seek justice for atrocities under Assad's rule.

The Damascus court convicted Assad of premeditated murder, the intentional killing of children, torture, and deprivation of liberty on multiple occasions, all classified as war crimes. He remains at large in Moscow, having fled the country as Islamist forces closed in on Damascus during a rapid offensive in 2024.

Six former military and security officials, including Assad's brother Maher, were also sentenced to death in absentia. They were accused of crimes such as murder, incitement to murder, and torture leading to death, which the court deemed crimes against humanity. Other convicted figures included former Defense Minister Fahd al-Freij and Louay al-Ali, who headed military intelligence in Daraa province during the 2011 uprising.

Najib, the only individual present at the trial, was convicted for crimes against humanity committed while serving as head of political security in Daraa. He too was sentenced to death. The court's verdict comes after a period of proceedings against Assad and others accused of atrocities during the civil war, which began in Daraa in March 2011 following the arrest of 15 students for allegedly writing anti-government slogans.

The conflict resulted in over half a million deaths, the displacement of millions, and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people.