Syrian court sentences former President Assad, exiled in Russia, to death

A Syrian court has sentenced ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad to death for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria’s 14-year conflict in which roughly half-a-million people died.

The sentences are the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the Assad family’s five decades in power came to an end 20 months ago, according to the Associated Press.

Assad's younger brother, Maher Assad, and maternal cousin Atef Najib, who was convicted of overseeing a government crackdown that led to the uprising and later the civil war, were also sentence to death.

“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.

Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read his sentence. 

Assad and his brother fled to Russia after the government’s fall in December 2024 and received political asylum, the newswire service also reports.