Syrian court sentences Assad to death in absentia

A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. According to The Hill, this sentencing by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus is the first against al-Assad since he was ousted.

The National UAE reports that the 2011 uprising in Syria, which led to the civil war, began with graffiti in the city of Deraa demanding an end to al-Assad's regime. The protests were met with violence, and 15 boys involved were kidnapped and tortured by government forces led by Atef Najib, a cousin of al-Assad. Najib was also sentenced to death by Syrian courts, alongside al-Assad and his brother Maher.

The sentencing was celebrated in Deraa, with Malek Al Abboud, a resident who spent years in opposition-held areas, saying it was a "victory for the revolution". Al Abboud's home was destroyed, and he now lives with his parents. The city still bears symbols of the uprising, including a public square and a mural commemorating the start of large-scale protests on March 18, 2011.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Hill, The National UAE — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.