A Syrian court issued a death sentence in absentia for former Syrian President Bashar Assad and his brother on Tuesday for their involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict that resulted in approximately 500,000 fatalities.
This marks the first time Assad or his close associates have faced such severe consequences since their decades-long rule ended two years ago. The court session, broadcast live on state TV, saw Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan declare that Bashar Assad utilized state mechanisms to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin, was also sentenced to death in the same trial for overseeing a brutal crackdown in Daraa province that triggered the initial uprising and subsequent civil war. Under tight security, Najib appeared in court wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the verdict was pronounced, while a crowd gathered outside the courthouse in Damascus.
Assad and his brother Maher sought refuge in Russia following the collapse of their regime in December 2024 and were granted political asylum. The new Syrian authorities have requested Russia to extradite the Assads back to Syria.
Najib, a former Syrian army general who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2011, was responsible for the political security branch in Daraa province during Assad’s rule in 2011. The crackdown on teenagers who protested against the government in Daraa became a pivotal moment leading to nationwide protests against Assad’s oppressive regime.
Several of Najib’s victims, including former detainees, were present at the trial. They expressed relief at the sentencing, stating that justice was finally being served after years of suffering. However, human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have raised concerns about the death penalty, emphasizing the need for fair trials and a lasting justice system in Syria to ensure accountability for past atrocities.