Syria sentences former ruler Bashar al-Assad to death over civil war atrocities

Damascus, on August 11, a Syrian court pronounced former ruler Bashar al-Assad guilty and sentenced him to death for crimes committed during the country's 14-year civil war. This marks the first such ruling under Syria's transitional leaders who toppled Assad in December 2024, pledging to seek justice and accountability for atrocities committed under his rule.

Assad went into exile in Moscow as Islamist forces approached Damascus after a swift military campaign. On August 11, Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan found Assad guilty of grave offenses, including "premeditated murder, intentional killing of over one person, intentional killing of children under 15, torture, torture resulting in death, and deprivation of liberty multiple times" - all classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The court pronounced "death penalty" for Assad. In April, Syria initiated proceedings against Assad and other officials accused of crimes committed during the civil war, which erupted with the former administration's harsh crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Over half a million people lost their lives, millions were displaced, and thousands went missing, often ending up in the country's brutal prison system.

The court also sentenced six former military and security officials to death in absentia, including Assad's brother Maher, who commanded the army's elite Fourth Division and fled the nation. Convicted officials included former defense minister Fahd al-Freij and Louay al-Ali, who managed military intelligence in Daraa province in 2011.

The officials were found guilty of crimes such as murder, incitement to murder, torture leading to death, and repeated deprivation of liberty, all deemed "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes". Former security official Atif Najib, the only defendant present in court, was also sentenced to death for "crimes against humanity" committed as head of political security in Daraa province, the epicenter of the 2011 uprising.

Najib, a cousin of Assad detained in January of last year, was convicted of offenses including murder, "intentional killing of children under 15", and "torture leading to death". The court called these acts "crimes against humanity", imposing the "harshest punishment - the death penalty" on him. The uprising started in Daraa in March 2011, following the arrest of 15 students for allegedly posting anti-government slogans on city walls.

Residents claim the students were tortured, sparking protests demanding their release that turned violent. Security forces quelled peaceful demonstrations with force, using live ammunition to disperse sit-ins in various locations. Najib was removed from his post after the crackdown, as protests expanded to other regions. Judge al-Aryan stated that Najib denied the charges and showed "no remorse". Assad assumed the presidency of Syria in 2000 after his father Hafez passed away.