Syrian court hands death sentence to ousted Bashar al‑Assad in absentia

In a historic move, a Syrian court convicted former president Bashar al‑Assad of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and sentenced him to death despite his absence.

Assad fled to Moscow with his family after his 50‑year‑long rule collapsed in December 2024, and an arrest warrant has been in place since last December on charges of murder and torture. The new interim government, led by President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, has already detained numerous former officials and security staff.

The ruling, issued in Damascus, also condemned Atef Najib—Assad’s cousin and former head of political security in Deraa—to death. Najib was visibly shackled in a cage in the courtroom as the judge pronounced his sentence.

The death rapsheet is seen as a symbolic step toward accountability, but it also raises whether Syria can extradite Assad from Moscow. International legal experts note that Syria’s attempts to pursue Assad or other high‑ranking officials in Western courts have thus far failed to secure convictions, and Russia’s assurances of asylum complicate any extradition effort.

The court’s decision underscores a broader move to reckon with the atrocities committed during the Syrian civil war, which began with protests in Deraa in 2011 and escalated into nationwide violence, killing hundreds of thousands.

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