A Syrian court handed down a death sentence in absentia to former Syrian President Bashar Assad and his younger brother on Tuesday for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict, which resulted in approximately half a million deaths.
This ruling, declared by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, marks the first time Assad or any of his close associates have faced legal consequences since their five-decade reign came to an end 20 months ago. Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan, in a live broadcast on state TV, stated that Bashar Assad had exploited state institutions to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin, was also sentenced to death in the same trial. Najib was found guilty of overseeing a violent crackdown in the southern province of Daraa, which triggered the uprising and subsequent civil war.
Najib, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2011, served as a former Syrian army brigadier general and headed the political security branch in Daraa province under Assad’s leadership in 2011. During his tenure, numerous teenagers were arrested and subjected to torture after protesting against the government.
The courtroom in central Damascus witnessed Najib standing in a prisoner’s uniform within a cage as the judge pronounced the sentence. Meanwhile, Assad and his brother Maher sought refuge in Russia following the collapse of their government in December 2024 and have been granted political asylum. The new Syrian authorities have requested Russia to extradite the Assad brothers.
The victims of Najib’s atrocities, including individuals who were teenagers at the time of the crackdown in 2011, were present during the sentencing. They expressed relief at the verdict, with one individual stating, “Today, justice has been served, and we are hopeful for further accountability for the crimes committed by Bashar Assad.”
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the death penalty, emphasizing the need for a fair trial process for Najib. The organization asserts that true justice for the crimes of the Assad regime hinges on the establishment of a lasting and equitable judicial system in Syria.