A Syrian court has sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death after convicting him of killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and crimes against humanity during the country’s nearly 14-year war.
The ruling marks the first conviction against Assad since he was ousted in December 2024. His removal followed a rebel offensive that brought an end to his family’s decades-long rule over Syria.
Assad was tried in absentia after fleeing Damascus as rebel forces advanced on the capital. He is currently living in Moscow, following the collapse of his government and the end of his presidency.
A judge issued the Bashar al-Assad death sentence during proceedings involving former government officials. The court cited premeditated and intentional killings, including the deaths of children, as well as torture and arbitrary detention.
The court also found Assad responsible for crimes against humanity committed during the conflict. The Syrian war caused enormous destruction and killed hundreds of thousands of people, while millions were displaced from their homes.
Atef Najib, a former security official who served under Assad, was also sentenced to death. The proceedings form part of wider efforts by Syria’s new authorities to hold senior figures from the former government accountable for alleged abuses.
Assad, born in 1965, became president in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad. He continued the family’s political dominance and maintained close ties with Iran while pursuing a hostile position toward Israel and the United States. The Bashar al-Assad death sentence represents a major legal development following the end of his rule.
