Syria’s Ousted Dictator Bashar Al-Assad Sentenced To Death In Absentia For War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity

Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his former political security chief Atef Najib to death in absentia. The criminal court convicted both men on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Syria's 14-year conflict, which has left around half a million people dead. Bashar's brother Maher al-Assad, who was leader in the Syrian military, has also been given the death sentence.

Assad fled Syria for Moscow in December 2024 after his government fell amid widespread protests. Najib, Assad's maternal cousin, was detained and is now one of the highest-ranking officials to face trial. Bashar Assad took power in 2000, succeeding his father Hafez al-Assad, who had ruled the nation for nearly three decades. The civil war began in 2011 after security forces violently suppressed anti-government protests in Deraa, which quickly escalated into a nationwide conflict involving government forces, armed opposition groups, and foreign powers.

Human rights organizations have documented alleged abuses by both government forces and armed opposition groups during the war.