DAMASCUS: A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over crimes committed during the country’s nearly 14-year civil war.
The court also sentenced Assad’s younger brother, Maher al-Assad, and his cousin and former security official Atef Najib to death. Najib was present in court when the verdict was announced.
Najib, who previously held the rank of brigadier general in the Syrian army, served as head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa province in 2011.
He was accused of overseeing a crackdown in Daraa that helped trigger the uprising that later developed into Syria’s civil war.
The court convicted Assad and the other defendants of charges including premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity.
The ruling marks the first major legal action against the Assad family by Syria’s post-Assad authorities.
Bashar and Maher al-Assad fled to Russia after opposition forces overthrew their government in December 2024.
Russia subsequently granted them asylum, while Syria’s new authorities have sought accountability for alleged crimes committed during Assad’s rule.
More read, Syria marks one year since fall of Bashar al-Assad and end of civil war
Earlier, Syria is commemorating the one-year anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s longstanding regime, ending nearly 14 years of brutal civil war.
On December 8 last year, Damascus was seized by Islamist rebels, leading to the collapse of the Baath Party’s rule. President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, where he was granted asylum, as the country’s control shifted.
In January, a transitional government was established under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, aiming to manage the country’s recovery amid ongoing challenges.
The United Nations has expressed concern over renewed violence, displacement, and increasing polarization, warning of an uncertain future for Syria.
