A court in Syria has issued a death sentence in absentia for former Syrian President Bashar Assad and his younger brother for their involvement in crimes against humanity and war crimes during the country’s 14-year conflict, which resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths. This marks the first time that Assad or his close associates have faced such severe legal consequences since their regime ended two decades ago.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan at the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, who stated that Bashar Assad had utilized state institutions to carry out atrocities against humanity and commit war crimes. Along with Assad, his maternal cousin Atef Najib was also sentenced to death for his role in overseeing a crackdown in Daraa province, which sparked the initial uprising and subsequent civil war.
Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2011, held a key position as head of the political security branch in Daraa province under Assad’s rule in 2011. During his tenure, a group of teenagers who protested against the government were subjected to torture, triggering widespread demonstrations against the oppressive regime’s policies.
Assad and his brother Maher sought refuge in Russia following the collapse of their government in December 2024 and were granted political asylum. The new Syrian leadership has requested their extradition from Russia to face justice for their actions. Najib’s victims, some of whom were present in court, expressed relief at the sentencing, emphasizing the significance of holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have voiced concerns about the death penalty in this case, stressing the importance of ensuring fair trial standards and building a lasting justice system in Syria to address past atrocities. Najib retains the right to appeal the verdict as the legal process moves forward.
