Bashar al-Assad Sentenced To Death For Crimes Against Humanity In Syria

New Delhi: Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled the nation for over 20 years under a dictatorship, was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country's civil war, and sentenced to death by a Damascus criminal court.

What did the court say?

The verdict is the first death sentence handed down against Assad by Syria’s transitional authorities since his government collapsed in December 2024 and a new government took over under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa. In a desperate bid to escape, Assad and his family moved to Moscow as Islamist forces advanced towards Damascus, bringing an end to his 24-year rule.

Atef Najib, Assad's cousin and head of the Political Security Directorate in the southern province of Deraa was also sentenced to death by the court. Najib was personally tried and found guilty of premeditated murder and torture.

Who is Bashar al-Assad?

Assad ascended to power in 2000 after his father, Hafez al-Assad, and he ruled Syria until he was ousted in December 2024. His father ruled the nation for almost 30 years.

The Syrian civil war began in 2011 after security forces violently cracked down on anti-government protests in Deraa. The rebellion quickly spread to become a country-wide conflict between the government, armed resistance and foreign forces resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions.

What is the case?

In the war period, Assad’s government had been extensively accused of murder, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and attacks on civilian areas. UN investigators and international rights groups reported on alleged government force abuses and others' involvement in the conflict, including violations by armed opposition groups.

There were also allegations against the government of using chemical weapons. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its affiliated entities blamed the Syrian government for some of the chemical attacks, including a sarin strike in opposition territory of Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, on August 21, 2013. Assad was issued a series of warrants for “complicity” in chemical weapons crimes in 2013.

The previous regime was charged with also having a large detention and torture programme. Internationally, torture and deaths in custody have been reported and former members of the Syrian security services have been prosecuted in European courts for alleged involvement in abuse under the Assad government.

The death sentence follows the pursuit of legal action against former regime officials and security figures by the transitional authorities in Syria. Others, such as Assad, are being prosecuted in absentia while some defendants are appearing in court.