Syrians celebrate landmark verdict as court sentences Bashar Assad to death in absentia

Crowds gathered outside a Damascus courthouse on Tuesday after a Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and former security chief Atef Najib to death for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Syria's 14-year conflict.

The ruling is the first criminal conviction against members of the Assad family since their five decades in power ended in late 2024. Najib, whose crackdown on protesters in Daraa helped ignite the Syrian uprising in 2011, was present in court to hear the sentence.

Outside the courthouse, many Syrians described the verdict as long-awaited justice.

Adnan al-Masalmeh, Attorney for Victims' Families: "Today is the day of justice for all the wounded, martyrs, detainees and Syrians who were unjustly forced to leave their country. Today is a historic day; today marks a victory of right against injustice, victory of the Syrian people against the ousted regime."

Among those celebrating was Nayef Abazeid, who says he was detained by the Assad government as a child.

"I was detained by the Assad regime; they took me from my school when I was 13 years old. Thank God Assad fell and Atef Najib will be executed, and God willing it will be Bashar Assad's turn. Today we cannot express our happiness and our biggest happiness will be when Bashar Assad is executed."

Bashar and Maher Assad remain in Russia after fleeing Syria following the collapse of their government. Syria's new authorities have called on Moscow to extradite them to face justice.