Goa, Aug. 11 -- A Damascus court has sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and his cousin Atef Najib to death for war crimes and atrocities committed over the course of Syria's nearly 14-year civil war.

The Criminal Court in Damascus delivered the verdicts on Tuesday, finding Bashar al-Assad guilty in absentia of premeditated murder, systemic torture, and crimes against humanity. Assad was ousted from power in December 2024 and currently resides in Russia, where he was granted exile following the collapse of his regime.

Presiding Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan stated that extensive witness testimony confirmed Assad's direct role as the "highest decision-maker" who mobilized state institutions and mi...