Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia

A Damascus court has sentenced former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for crimes committed during nearly 14 years of conflict. The verdict also includes death sentences for his brother, Maher al-Assad, and his cousin, former security chief Atef Najib, along with six other high-ranking former officials.

Syria’s justice ministry defended the proceedings against criticism from Amnesty International. The ministry stated that the trials were conducted in specialized civilian criminal courts with qualified judges, adhering to constitutional safeguards and international humanitarian law. They emphasized that the rulings were based on gathered evidence and that rights to defense and appeal remain guaranteed.

In contrast, Amnesty International has called for the abolition of the death penalty and trials in absentia. The human rights group argued that trials should occur in ordinary civilian courts through a victim-centered process to ensure truth and reparations, rather than relying on capital punishment.