In Syria, a court has issued a death sentence in absentia for former President Bashar Assad and his brother for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the country’s 14-year conflict, resulting in approximately half a million deaths. This marks the first conviction of Assad or his inner circle since their regime ended 20 months ago.
The ruling by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found Assad guilty of utilizing state agencies to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Assad’s maternal cousin Atef Najib, who oversaw a crackdown in Daraa that sparked the uprising and subsequent civil war, was also sentenced to death in the same case.
Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2011 and is among the highest-ranking officials to face trial. During his tenure in Daraa, he was accused of overseeing the torture of prisoners, including teenagers detained for anti-government graffiti, which triggered mass protests against Assad’s oppressive security policies.
Assad and his brother Maher sought refuge in Russia following the downfall of their government in December 2024 and were granted political asylum. The new Syrian authorities have requested Russia to extradite the Assads for prosecution.
The sentencing of Najib drew emotional reactions from some of his victims present at the courthouse, expressing a sense of closure and justice for the atrocities committed. However, human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch have criticized the death penalty, emphasizing the importance of fair trial standards and the establishment of a lasting justice system in Syria for genuine accountability for past crimes.