Former Syrian security official Atef Najib attends court hearings in his trial in Damascus, Syria, in April 2026. EPAShow caption: Former Syrian security official Atef Najib attends court hea…Court ordered Bashar and Maher Al Assad to be pursued internationallyThe NationalAugust 11, 2026A Damascus court on Tuesday sentenced former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, his brother Maher and former security official Atef Najib to death on charges of murder, torture and incitement to murder.Mr Najib was tried in person, while Bashar and Maher Al Assad were tried in absentia. The Fourth Criminal Court also ordered that Bashar and Maher Al Assad be pursued internationally.The court convicted Bashar Al Assad of premeditated murder of multiple people, including children, as well as torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, and sentenced him to death.It said investigations and witness testimonies established Najib’s involvement in interrogating detainees after protests began in Daraa in 2011 and in a security campaign against civilians.More to follow ...Updated: August 11, 2026, 8:41 AM