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Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death for war crimes

The Guardian UK Tuesday 11 August 2026, 10:40 UTC By William Christou in Beirut 1 min read
Key Points

Verdict in absentia relates to atrocities during the country’s 14-year civil war in which about 500,000 people diedA Syrian court has sentenced the country’s former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the 14-year civil war, in which about half a million people died. The two men fled to Moscow after being ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December 2024 which toppled the dictatorial regime in just 11 days.

Verdict in absentia relates to atrocities during the country’s 14-year civil war in which about 500,000 people died

A Syrian court has sentenced the country’s former president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the 14-year civil war, in which about half a million people died.

The two men fled to Moscow after being ousted by a lightning rebel offensive in December 2024 which toppled the dictatorial regime in just 11 days.

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Syrian (ORG) Bashar al-Assad (PERSON) Maher (PERSON) Moscow (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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