{
  "id": 548918,
  "title": "Syria: Court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia in landmark trial",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/syria-court-sentences-bashar-al-assad-to-death-in-absentia-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T08:50:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-court-sentences-bashar-al-assad-death-absentia-landmark-trial"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, a Damascus court delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia. The court also handed down the same sentence to Assad's brother, Maher, and a former security official, Atef Najib, on charges of murder, torture, and incitement to murder.\n\nNajib appeared in court, while Bashar and Maher were tried while absent. The court found Assad guilty of premeditated murder, including of children, as well as torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity. This ruling marks the first under the transitional authorities in Syria.\n\nAssad had fled the country with his family to Moscow in December 2024 as armed opposition forces approached Damascus. This development comes from a developing story, with more updates anticipated soon.",
  "summary": "Syria: Court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia in landmark trial Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/11/2026 - 09:46 Damascus court sentenced Syria's former strongman, his brother Maher and former security official Atef Najib to death on charges of murder, torture and incitement to murder Off A Damascus court sentenced Syria's former strongman Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/548918.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "🔴 Syria court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death for crimes against humanity in absentia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/syria-court-sentences-bashar-al-assad-to-death-for-crimes-against",
        "published": "2026-08-11T08:50:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}