Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia by Syrian court over war crimes and crimes against humanity

A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after finding him guilty of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” committed during the country’s civil war.

The verdict marks the first such ruling by Syria’s transitional authorities, which this year began prosecuting figures linked to Assad’s former government, both in person and in absentia.

Assad fled Syria with his family for Moscow in December 2024 as Islamist-led forces advanced on Damascus and brought an end to his rule.