A Syrian court has sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad to death in absentia after finding them guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria’s 14-year civil war. The conflict, which began following anti-government protests in 2011, left about 500,000 people dead. The Assad brothers fled to Moscow after the government was overthrown by a rebel offensive in December 2024.
The court convicted Bashar al-Assad on charges including premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity. Maher al-Assad, who commanded the powerful Fourth Division and was a senior figure in the former government’s security apparatus, was also sentenced to death. Syrian authorities said they intend to pursue international legal avenues to prosecute the brothers, although Russia has previously rejected requests to extradite former Syrian officials.
Atef Najib, Assad’s cousin and the former head of political security in Daraa, was also sentenced to death. Najib was linked to the detention and torture of 15 boys who had written anti-Assad slogans in 2011, an incident that helped trigger demonstrations in Daraa before protests spread across Syria. His prosecution has been presented by Syrian authorities as part of the country’s broader transitional justice process.
Syria continues to face instability following the collapse of the Assad government, including episodes of sectarian and retaliatory violence. Authorities have established transitional justice committees and arrested officials associated with the former government as they attempt to address abuses committed during the conflict and reduce divisions that continue to affect the country.
