Syria sentences former ruler Assad to death in absentia over atrocities

A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, convicting him of atrocities committed during the nation's prolonged civil war, which lasted for nearly 14 years. This marks the first ruling under Syria's transitional leaders who ousted Assad in December 2024, pledging to provide justice and accountability for crimes committed during his rule.

Assad had fled to Moscow as Islamist-led forces advanced on Damascus following a rapid military offensive. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan pronounced Assad guilty of crimes including "premeditated murder, the intentional killing of more than one person, including children under 15, torture, torture resulting in death, and multiple instances of deprivation of liberty, classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes."

The court sentenced Assad to death, stating, "He is therefore sentenced to death." In April, Syria initiated legal proceedings against Assad and other officials accused in person and in absentia of committing atrocities during the civil war, which saw over half a million deaths and the displacement of millions. Six other former military and security officials, including Assad's brother Maher, who led the army's elite Fourth Division, were also sentenced to death for similar crimes.

Those convicted included former Defense Minister Fahd al-Freij and Louay al-Ali, who headed military intelligence in Daraa province during the 2011 uprising. The court convicted these officials of crimes such as murder, incitement to murder, torture leading to death, and repeated deprivation of liberty, which the court deemed "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes."

The trial also convicted the only remaining defendant in the case, former security official Atif Najib, for "crimes against humanity" committed while serving as head of political security in Daraa province, the birthplace of Syria's 2011 uprising. Najib, a cousin of Assad, was convicted of murder, "the intentional killing of children under 15," and "torture leading to death," which the court deemed the "harshest punishment" with the death penalty.

Najib denied the charges and showed "no remorse," according to an AFP correspondent who witnessed the ruling. Dozens of people gathered at the courthouse, many from Daraa province, holding pictures of loved ones who disappeared or were imprisoned under those on trial. Lawyer Amer Kazzaz stated that the convicted individuals had the right to appeal if there were legal errors or professional mistakes by the court.

Hiba Zayadin from Human Rights Watch expressed that the scenes reflected 15 years of pain, emphasizing that the rights watchdog opposes the death penalty in all cases, especially when a fair trial is not guaranteed. "Genuine accountability depends on Syria building a lasting justice system," she added. Syria's national commission for transitional justice called the ruling against Najib "an important milestone in the process of accountability for grave crimes."

The uprising against Assad began in Daraa in March 2011, following the arrest of 15 students for allegedly writing anti-government slogans on the city's walls. Residents alleged that the students were tortured, leading to protests demanding their release that turned violent. Security forces suppressed peaceful demonstrations with force, firing live ammunition to disperse sit-ins at various locations.

Najib was dismissed after the crackdown as protests spread to other provinces. The Assad family ruled Syria for more than five decades, with Bashar taking office in 2000 following his father Hafez's death.