# Legal proceedings against former Syrian leadership > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-former-syrian-leadership > Updated: 2026-08-12T17:42:48.000Z. Sources: 262. Developments: 2. A Syrian criminal court in Damascus has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia. The Fourth Criminal Court found Assad guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including premeditated murder, torture, and arbitrary detention during the civil war. His brother, Maher al-Assad, also received a death sentence in absentia, while former brigadier general Atef Najib was sentenced to death in person. These rulings mark the first major legal actions by Syria’s transitional authorities against the former regime following its collapse in December 2024. While the new leadership has sought the extradition of former officials, enforcement is complicated by the fact that Bashar al-Assad and his family reside in Russia under political asylum, and no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Damascus and Moscow. The proceedings have drawn conflicting reactions. Syria’s justice ministry defended the trials, stating they were conducted in specialized civilian courts following constitutional safeguards and international humanitarian law. Conversely, Amnesty International has criticized the use of the death penalty and trials in absentia, advocating instead for victim-centered processes in ordinary civilian courts to ensure truth and reparations. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Syria sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia A Syrian court has sentenced former leader Bashar al-Assad and several high-ranking officials to death in absentia, sparking a debate between the justice ministry and Amnesty International over fair trial norms 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/syria-sentences-bashar-al-assad-to-death-in-absentia ### 2026-08-10: Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death by Syrian transitional authorities A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Former security official Atef Najib was also sentenced to die 262 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bashar-al-assad-sentenced-to-death-in-absentia-by-syrian-court --- Cite as: Legal proceedings against former Syrian leadership. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-former-syrian-leadership