Legal Proceedings Against Bashar Al-Assad
On August 11, 2026, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported that the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus has issued a death sentence in absentia for former Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, alongside several key figures from his regime. The court found Assad guilty of multiple serious charges, including premeditated murder of several individuals, including children, acts of torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity.
This landmark ruling occurred during the ninth session aimed at rendering a verdict in a case brought against Aatif Najeeb, the former head of the political security branch in Daraa province. Najeeb has been accused of being directly responsible for the oppressive campaigns and mass arrests that have taken place in Daraa since the Syrian revolution began in 2011. In addition to Najeeb, the death sentence also extends to other prominent members of the former regime, notably Maher Al-Assad, Bashar's brother.
Judge Fakhr Al-Din Al-Aryan, who presided over the case, stated that the actions attributed to Aatif Najeeb, as per investigations and witness testimonies, constitute crimes against humanity. He elaborated that Bashar Al-Assad’s role in these crimes was as the highest decision-maker who utilized state apparatuses to facilitate these actions. Consequently, the court condemned Bashar Al-Assad for his involvement in these heinous acts, leading to the imposition of the death penalty.
As reported by alaan.ma.
