A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar Assad and his brother Maher Assad to death in absentia after finding them guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the country’s 14-year civil war.
Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan announced the ruling at Damascus’ Fourth Criminal Court, marking the first convictions against Assad or members of his inner circle since his government was overthrown in December 2024. Assad and Maher are reported to be in Russia, where they received political asylum.
Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin and former Political Security Branch chief in Daraa, also received a death sentence after being convicted over the 2011 crackdown that preceded the conflict. The court said Najib has the right to appeal.
- Bashar Assad and Maher Assad were sentenced in absentia.
- Atef Najib was convicted over the Daraa crackdown and may appeal.
- The ruling is the first against Assad-era leaders since the former government fell.
ℹ️ AP News
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