Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia

Key Points:

• A Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his younger brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria's 14-year conflict, marking the first such sentences against Assad family members since their fall from power 20 months ago.
• Assad's maternal cousin, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death for overseeing a crackdown in Daraa province that triggered the uprising leading to the civil war; Najib was detained and stood trial under tight security.
• The court highlighted Assad's use of state agencies to commit war crimes, with Najib's role involving the arrest and torture of teenagers whose anti-government graffiti sparked mass protests and a brutal government crackdown.
• Bashar and Maher Assad fled to Russia after the government's collapse in December 2024 and have received political asylum, while Syria's new rulers have requested Russia to extradite them.
• Maher Assad, former commander of the 4th Armored Division, has been accused by opposition activists of various abuses including killings, torture, and running detention centers during his military tenure.