Syria sentences former president to death

A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, finding him guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war. Assad fled to Russia after his regime fell in December 2024, ending a five-decade rule. His cousin, Atef Najib, the former head of political security in Deraa province, was also sentenced to death.

Deraa is considered the birthplace of the uprising against Assad in 2011. Najib appeared in court in a cage, wearing a prison uniform. The court also convicted six other high-ranking officials, including Assad's brother Maher, who ran the army's elite Fourth Division, and sentenced them to death. Hundreds of people gathered outside the courthouse, expressing joy and relief at the verdicts. Many hoped this would signal the end of impunity in Syria.