The court convicted Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December 2024, over charges of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" during the Syrian civil war. A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced the country's ousted President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, news agency AFP reported.Bashar al-Assad (AFP File)The court convicted Assad, who was ousted in December 2024, over charges of "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" during the Syrian civil war. Assad fled with his family to Moscow as Islamist-led forces closed in on Damascus at the end of his rule.The court also sentenced Atef Najib, the former head of political security in southern Syria’s Deraa province, to death.The ruling against Assad and Najib is the first under the transitional authorities, which began trying figures from the former government this year, both in person and in absentia.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs.