A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after finding him guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country's 14-year civil war. His younger brother, Maher al-Assad, was also sentenced to death in absentia, while their maternal cousin Atef Najib received the same sentence after being convicted over his role in the crackdown that helped trigger the uprising.
The Damascus Criminal Court found Bashar al-Assad guilty of premeditated murder, torture and crimes against humanity. Maher al-Assad was convicted of premeditated murder and torture. Both brothers are living in exile in Russia after fleeing Syria when opposition forces entered Damascus in December 2024, effectively ending the Assad family's rule.
Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general and head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa province, was detained in January last year and became one of the highest-ranking figures from the former government to face trial. He was convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder, the intentional killing of children under 15 and torture resulting in death.
Najib was present in court as the verdict was delivered. Under tight security, he stood inside a cage wearing a prison uniform while the judge read the death sentence.
