A Syrian court has sentenced Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A Syrian court has sentenced ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, after convicting him of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war. Assad's cousin, Atef Najib, and his brother, Maher al-Assad, were also sentenced to death. The convictions are the first against Assad, who fled to Moscow after his regime was overthrown in December 2024.

Background of the Uprising

The uprising against Assad's rule began in Deraa, where the detention and alleged torture of teenagers accused of writing anti-government graffiti sparked protests in March 2011. The response by security forces helped ignite nationwide demonstrations that escalated into civil war, killing hundreds of thousands of people.

Trials of Regime Officials

Syria's interim government began trying officials associated with the Assad regime earlier this year. Atef Najib, the former head of political security in Deraa, was convicted of crimes including murder, 'the intentional killing of children under 15' and 'torture leading to death'. Six former military and security officials, including Maher al-Assad and former defence minister Fahd al-Freij, were also sentenced to death in absentia.