# A Syrian court has sentenced ousted 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. Assad fled to Moscow with his family after his regime was overthrown in December 2024, ending more than five decades of family rule. His cousin, Atef Najib, was also sentenced to death. Six former military and security officials, including Assad’s brother Maher and former Defence minister Fahd al-Freij, were sentenced to death in absentia.
Ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia