Syrian court sentences former President Assad and associates to death for crimes against humanity
RegulationGeopolitics
A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death, along with his brother Maher al-Assad and cousin Atef Najib, after they were convicted of crimes committed during Syria's nearly 14-year civil war. Assad, who was overthrown in December 2024 and is currently in exile in Russia, was found guilty of premeditated murder, torture, and crimes against humanity. The court read the verdict in absentia as he did not appear. Maher, who also resides in Russia, was sentenced to death in absentia for premeditated murder and torture. Najib, the former head of the Political Security Directorate in Daraa province, who was arrested by Syrian authorities in January last year, was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. He ordered the violent crackdown on protesters in Daraa in 2011 that sparked the uprising and civil war. He stood in a prisoner's uniform as the judge read the verdict, which included murder, the intentional killing of children under 15, and torture resulting in death. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan stated that Najib denied all charges and showed no remorse. Additionally, several other former military and security officials who fled Syria were sentenced to death in absentia, including former Defense Minister Fahd al-Freij and Luay al-Ali, head of military intelligence in Daraa province in 2011. The Syrian government has repeatedly called on Russia to extradite Assad, but Russia has continued to refuse despite efforts to strengthen ties with Syria's new government, after granting him asylum. Reports indicate that Assad is currently living a luxurious life in Moscow.
