A Syrian court sentenced Bashar al Assad to death in absentia over crimes linked to the killing and torture of civilians during the crackdown on the 2011 uprising. It is the first such ruling against him inside Syria since the fall of his regime and his escape to Russia in December 2024.
The ruling also included his brother Maher al-Assad and former Daraa security Chief Atef Najib, over crimes dating back to the early protests in the province.
The trial began in Damascus last April as part of proceedings against former regime officials. Enforcing the sentence against Assad would require his arrest and extradition from Russia.
