On Tuesday, the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, Syria, issued a death sentence in absentia against former dictator Bashar al-Assad for “war crimes and crimes against humanity” tied to the country’s brutal civil war, which has lasted 14 years and was marked by his reliance on Russian and Iranian support.
Assad’s regime quickly crumbled in December 2024 when a coalition of rebels and jihadists seized control of Damascus, forcing him into exile in Russia. Reports suggest he has been living relatively comfortably there, though perhaps with some concern regarding his future, especially with President Vladimir Putin focused on negotiating terms to secure Russian military bases in Syria.
The regime, now led by former al-Qaeda lieutenant Ahmed al-Sharaa, formed a “National Commission for Transitional Justice” to symbolically address the crimes of the Assad government, which, at its peak, left a devastating impact on the Syrian populace.
A court on Tuesday also pronounced death sentences for over a dozen other officials, attributing much of the blame for multiple atrocities to Assad himself. Most of those sentenced were tried in absentia and are now fugitives.
Among the notable names impacted by this ruling is Atef Najib, Assad’s maternal cousin and former security chief in Daraa during the early protests in 2011. These protests, which initially sought to address grievances against the government, devolved into widespread riots and eventually a civil war that has claimed around 500,000 lives.
Najib faced charges including “torture leading to death” and “intentional killing of a child under 15.” His actions, particularly the brutal crackdown following the arrest and alleged torture of teenagers who had drawn anti-regime graffiti, played a significant role in igniting a nationwide uprising.
Unlike many of his co-defendants, Najib was apprehended in January 2025, and has been held in custody. His presence at the trial, seated in a cage, has drawn significant public ire, especially as many continue to demand accountability for Assad, who remains out of reach.
Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitt noted that this trial is a critical part of the healing journey for many Syrians. “This is a moment they’ve long awaited, a chance to hold accountable those responsible for the suffering inflicted upon children and communities,” Hitt commented.
On the same day, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab declared, “Justice has prevailed for the victims of the crimes against the Syrian people.” He expressed hopes this serves as a crucial step towards addressing past injustices and holding perpetrators responsible.
Khattab promised continued efforts to track down those responsible for the atrocities. Meanwhile, despite Syria’s attempts to persuade Lebanon to arrest and extradite high-ranking defendants, Russia has shown little willingness to extradite Bashar al-Assad.
