Damascus (HRNW) — A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, according to international media reports.
The ruling reportedly relates to allegations of killings, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity committed during Syria’s prolonged civil war.
Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024 and subsequently fled Syria for Russia, where he has reportedly been granted asylum. As a result, the proceedings against him were conducted in his absence.
The reported verdict marks a significant development in efforts to hold senior figures of the former Syrian government accountable for alleged serious human rights violations.
According to reports, Assad’s brother Maher al-Assad and former security official Atif Najib have also been sentenced to death in connection with the case.
The implementation of the reported death sentence could face significant legal and practical challenges because Bashar al-Assad is outside Syria.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on international media reports regarding the alleged court ruling. HRNW does not independently verify the judicial proceedings or allegations unless stated otherwise. The report may be updated as further official information becomes available.
