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Syria Sentences Former President al-Assad to Death for Crimes Against Humanity
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- A Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad and several former officials, including his brother Maher al-Assad, to death in absentia for murder, torture, and crimes against humanity during the 14-year civil war.
- The trial, the first related to the war held in Syria since al-Assad's overthrow in December 2024, concluded with celebrations across Damascus and the country.
- Atef Najib, a cousin of Bashar al-Assad and former political security chief, was the only defendant present and also sentenced to death, with the right to appeal within 30 days.
- Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Russia after the fall of his government, where they were granted asylum, and Russia is unlikely to extradite them despite Syrian government demands.
