Former Syrian President sentenced to death for war crimes

A Syrian court sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and his brother to death in absentia on Tuesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 14-year conflict in Syria. The sentences were handed down by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, marking the first time anyone from Assad's inner circle has received such a severe punishment since the end of the Assad family's five-decade rule 20 months ago.

Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan stated that Assad had used state agencies to commit these crimes. Assad's maternal cousin, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death for overseeing a crackdown in the southern province of Daraa that sparked the uprising and led to the civil war. Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner's uniform during the sentencing.

He has the option to appeal. The court proceedings took place under tight security, with a crowd gathering outside the courthouse in central Damascus to hear the verdict. Attorney Adnan al-Masalmeh, representing Najib's victims, said the day marked a victory for justice and the Syrian people against the ousted regime. Assad and his brother fled to Russia after the government's fall in December 2024, receiving political asylum there.

Syria's new rulers have requested Russia hand over the Assads. Najib, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in April 2011, was one of the highest-ranking security officials to be tried.