Assad’s brother and cousin also got death sentences.
Today (11), a Syrian court handed down a death sentence to former dictator Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher, both in absentia, meaning they were not present for the trial.
The Assad family fled to Russia during the December 2024 opposition offensive that took power over Damascus, ending 53 years of hereditary rule.
Assad’s cousin Atef Najib attended the trial in a cage and was also sentenced to death.
BREAKING: Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and his brother have been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes. https://t.co/Mn9ehVsauD
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 11, 2026
Euronews reported:
“A Syrian court sentenced on Tuesday ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year war that left about half a million people dead and millions displaced.
[…] Bashar and Maher Al-Assad fled to Russia after opposition fighters led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa marched into Damascus in December 2024, effectively ending the war in the country.”
BREAKING:
A Syrian court has sentenced Bashar al-Assad to death for premeditated murder (including of children), torture, arbitrary detentions, and crimes against humanity.
Assad fled to Russia in December 2024, where Putin granted him political asylum. pic.twitter.com/MYQjRUut3B
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 11, 2026
Watch: in a cage, Assad’s cousin hears his sentencing.
A historic verdict: the first Regime war criminal has been sentenced to death.
General Najeb, a relative of Assad, was the head of the Political Security (Intelligence branch) in #Daraa.
Arrested last year, he was convicted in person of premeditated murder (incl. children),… https://t.co/gtj87R4MOR pic.twitter.com/VEkwWKguVx
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) August 11, 2026
The Telegraph reported:
“Syria is now under the control of Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group in a lightning string of victories from the north towards Damascus.
Mr al-Sharaa is a former al-Qaeda militant who spent time in US military detention in Iraq and allegedly had links to Islamic State.
[…] The new president has the strong support of Donald Trump, with whom he has a good rapport.
The US president has lifted some financial sanctions against the devastated Arab state and tried to encourage inward investment.”
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