Syria: Assad sentenced to death over war crimes

Syria has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia over killings, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, according to Maghrebi Week on August 17th.

The verdict marks a significant step in Syria’s efforts to establish judicial accountability for abuses committed during nearly 14 years of war. Assad fled to Russia after his government collapsed in December 2024 and remains outside Syrian custody, limiting the immediate prospects of enforcing the sentence.

The proceedings also raise questions over defence representation and procedural safeguards as Syria’s transitional authorities seek to establish a justice system distinct from Assad’s former rule.

Maghrebi Week