Syrian court sentences ex-president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Syrian court sentenced ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad along with his younger brother Maher to death in absentia on Tuesday for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict that left about half a million people dead.The sentences at the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus were the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the Assad family’s five decades in power came to an end in December 2024.“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 television.Also sentenced to death was Assad’s maternal cousin Atef Najib, the former head of political security in Daraa province, who was convicted of overseeing a crackdown in the southern province of Daraa that helped trigger the uprising against Assad and later the civil war.Under tight security,…
A Syrian court in Damascus sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia on Tuesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's 14-year conflict. This marks the first such ruling against the Assad family since their five-decade rule ended in December 2024. Also sentenced to death was Assad’s cousin, Atef Najib, former head of political security in Daraa, for his role in the crackdown that ignited the civil war. Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan stated, "Bashar Assad used state agencies to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity." Assad and his brother fled to Russia after the government's fall and received asylum, with Syria's new rulers requesting their extradition.
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