A Syrian court has handed down a death sentence in absentia to former Syrian President Bashar Assad and his younger brother for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict, which resulted in around 500,000 deaths. This marks the first time that Assad or his close associates have faced such legal consequences since their five-decade rule came to an end 20 months ago.
Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan declared that Bashar Assad utilized government agencies to carry out war crimes and crimes against humanity during a court session broadcast live on state television. Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin, was also sentenced to death in the same case for overseeing a violent crackdown in the Daraa province that triggered the uprising and subsequent civil war.
A tight security presence surrounded the courthouse in central Damascus as Najib, wearing a prisoner’s uniform, stood inside a cage while the verdict was read. Assad and his brother Maher sought refuge in Russia following the fall of the government in December 2024 and were granted political asylum. The new Syrian authorities have requested Russia to extradite the Assad brothers.
Atef Najib, a former Syrian army brigadier general who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2011, was detained and is one of the highest-ranking officials to stand trial. He headed the political security branch in Daraa province under Assad in 2011, where several teenagers were arrested and tortured for anti-government activities, sparking widespread protests against Assad’s regime.
Witnesses to Najib’s brutal actions in 2011 were present at the courthouse, expressing relief at the sentencing. Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over the death penalty in this case, emphasizing the importance of fair trial standards and building a lasting justice system in Syria for true accountability.