Crowds are celebrating outside in the streets of Damascus after former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and his brother were sentenced to death in absentia by the Fourth Criminal Court on Tuesday.
He was accused of committing atrocities on his own people during Syria’s 14-year civil war that left an estimated half a million people dead. He was overthrown in 2024 by the rebel Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which now runs the country, and other organizations like the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. Assad and his brother promptly fled to Russia, a country that knows a thing or two about brutal dictators.
"Bashar Assad used state agencies to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity," said Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan during a televised court session.
Syrians gathered outside Damascus's Justice Palace after a court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia, and former security official Atef Najib to death. Many described the landmark ruling as the first step towards transitional justice in Syria. pic.twitter.com/2vR272Q4q4
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 11, 2026
The list of Assad’s alleged war crimes is long, according to the court:
Premeditated and intentional murder of more than one person, including children under 15.
Torture (including torture leading to death).
Arbitrary arrest / unlawful deprivation of liberty.
Crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The court described him as the “highest decision-maker” who used state agencies to commit these acts.
He was also accused by the United States and others of using chemical weapons on his own people, a “red line” that former President Obama had set and then roundly ignored.
Syria is requesting that Russia now send the Assad brothers back, but it’s unclear if Vladimir Putin will comply, considering the Russian president propped up the sadistic regime for years and personally approved Bashar’s asylum. Why? To thumb their noses at the U.S. and to reassure other allies that they “don’t give up our own, no matter what.”
🇸🇾 ⚖️ Syria court sentences ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 11, 2026
The court convicted Assad of atrocities committed during the country's civil war. It is the first such ruling under transitional leaders who ousted Assad in 2024, vowing to provide justice and… pic.twitter.com/dzh423IT3X
🇸🇾 ⚖️ Syria court sentences ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia
The court convicted Assad of atrocities committed during the country's civil war. It is the first such ruling under transitional leaders who ousted Assad in 2024, vowing to provide justice and accountability for crimes committed under his rule. Assad fled to Moscow as Islamist-led forces closed in on Damascus
Although the Trump administration has sought closer ties to Syria now that Assad is gone, the Middle Eastern country is still battling with insurgents and terrorists within its borders.
MORE: 'Why Wouldn't I?' — Trump Moves to Take Syria Off Terror Sponsor List
U.S. Strikes Pound 30 ISIS Targets in Syria — Dozens Dead
Assad isn’t the only one in his former regime to face judgment:
Six other former officials were also sentenced to death in absentia. The only former official sentenced to death and in custody is Assad’s maternal cousin Atef Najib, who oversaw a crackdown on dissent that led to an uprising that sparked the civil war. Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read his sentence aloud, and a crowd gathered outside the heavily guarded courthouse.
Even though Assad is unlikely to ever face justice, the verdicts will be popular among many Syrians, especially those who have expressed frustration that the new government hasn’t moved with enough speed or strength against Assad-era figures.
Just another day in the Middle East.
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