Bashar al-Assad Sentenced to Death in Absentia in First Syrian Conviction Since His Fall
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A Syrian court on Tuesday, August 11, sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, convicting him of crimes including premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity committed during Syria's long conflict.
The ruling marks the first Syrian conviction against Assad since his government was overthrown in December 2024, ending decades of rule by his family. Assad is currently in Russia, where he and members of his family were granted asylum.
His brother Maher al-Assad, the former commander of Syria's Fourth Armored Division, was also sentenced to death in absentia. Former security official Atef Najib, who headed the Political Security Branch in Daraa when the 2011 uprising began, received the same sentence and was the only defendant among the three tried in person.
The verdict prompted celebrations outside the Damascus courthouse and in Daraa, but it also raised questions about transitional justice and whether a death sentence could complicate future attempts to extradite Assad from Russia.
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Tahani Elghazaly5122 Posts
