Syria's former president Bashir al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia at trial
Syria's Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity, 20 months after his family's rule ended. His maternal cousin, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death for overseeing a crackdown that sparked the civil war.
Why it matters
This marks the first time Assad or his inner circle have faced such sentences, signaling a potential shift towards accountability for atrocities committed during the Syrian civil war, even if the individuals are currently in exile.
The sentences at the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus are the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the family's five decades in power came to an end 20 months ago.
"Bashar Assad used state agencies to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity," said judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan during a court session that was aired live on state TV.
Also sentenced to death in the same case was Assad's maternal cousin Atef Najib, who was convicted of overseeing a crackdown in the southern province of Daraa that led to the uprising and later the civil war.
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