Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad and relatives to death for war crimes

The Fourth Criminal Court of Damascus has handed down death sentences to several members of the former Syrian leadership for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the 14-year civil war. On August 11, 2026, the court sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and other high-ranking officials to death in absentia. Following these rulings, the court also sentenced Waseem al-Assad, the president's cousin, to death this week. Waseem al-Assad appeared in court in person, marking the first time a member of the Assad family has faced trial domestically since the collapse of the regime.

The proceedings are overseen by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian, who was previously sentenced to death by the Assad regime in absentia after defecting in 2013. Following Bashar al-Assad's flight to Russia in December 2024, the judge returned to Syria and was reinstated. The court found the defendants guilty of multiple charges, including premeditated murder, torture, and brutality during the conflict that resulted in approximately 500,000 deaths. Atef Najib, the former head of security in Daraa, was also convicted as part of the ongoing judicial efforts to address atrocities committed under the previous administration.