Ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia

A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over his alleged role in "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" committed during the country's civil war, AFP reported.

The verdict marks the first such ruling against a senior figure from Assad's former government since transitional authorities began proceedings against members of the previous regime.

Assad convicted in absentia

Assad was removed from power in December 2024 after Islamist-led forces advanced on Damascus. He later fled Syria with his family and went to Moscow.

The court sentenced Assad in absentia, meaning he was not present during the proceedings and remains outside Syria. The ruling comes as the country's transitional authorities pursue legal action against officials associated with the former government.

Atef Najib, Assad's cousin and former head of political security in Deraa province, was also sentenced to death. Najib was accused of overseeing the torture of detainees, including children, and being responsible for several deaths during the conflict.

Unlike Assad, Najib was present in court. He appeared inside a cage wearing a prison uniform as the judge announced the sentence under tight security.

Najib was detained earlier and became one of the highest-ranking figures from Assad's government to face trial.

Civil war began with Deraa protests

The Syrian conflict began in 2011 after security forces violently suppressed anti-government demonstrations in Deraa. The unrest soon spread to other parts of the country and developed into a long-running war involving government troops, rebel factions and foreign powers.

The conflict was accompanied by widespread allegations of killings, torture, enforced disappearances and other serious abuses.

Assad family's decades-long rule

Bashar al-Assad became president in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly three decades.

Bashar remained in power for almost 25 years before his government collapsed in December 2024.

The latest verdict against Assad and Najib is the first death sentence handed down by Syria's transitional authorities against figures from the former regime.