The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, Syria, sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on Tuesday, August 11, 2025.
The court convicted al-Assad of the premeditated and intentional murder of children and more than one person, as well as torture, arbitrary arrest, and crimes against humanity.
The verdict, which was broadcast live on Syrian state television, classified the offenses of eight defendants as domestic crimes, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Sentences for former officials
Maher al-Assad, the brother of Bashar al-Assad and commander of the Fourth Armored Division, was also sentenced to death in absentia.
Former Defense Minister and army chief Fahd Jassem al-Freij was sentenced to death.
Atef Najib, the former head of Political Security in Daraa and cousin of Bashar al-Assad, was sentenced to death. While some reports state Najib was sentenced in his presence, Judge Fachr al-Din al-Arian stated the court decided unanimously to impose the harshest penalty against him.
The court also delivered death sentences to Louay al-Ali, Qusay Mayhoub, Wafiq al-Nasser, and Talal al-Aysami.
The judicial proceedings
The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus has been conducting trials since the end of April, following the start of proceedings against former government officials on April 26. The court's 396-page decision was based on witness testimony, victim statements, official documents, medical reports, audio/visual evidence, and international organization reports.
The proceedings against Mohammad Ayman Ayoush, a former security and military official, were dropped because the court confirmed his death.
An in absentia ruling in Syria can be annulled if the defendant is arrested or surrenders, leading to a new trial.
Context of the conflict
Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia in December 2024 following an 11-day rebel offensive that toppled his regime. The Syrian civil war, which lasted approximately 14 years, resulted in the deaths of more than 500,000 people.
Estimated fatalities resulting from the Syrian civil war.
The conflict was marked by significant violence, including reports of approximately 1,500 Alawite civilians killed in retaliatory killings in March 2025, and more than 1,700 people killed in massacres in the Druze-majority province of Suweida in July 2025.
Reactions and observations
Following the verdict, people in Idlib, Syria, gathered to celebrate the death sentence of Bashar al-Assad. The Lebanese site Al-Modon reported scenes of joy in Damascus and Deraa as well.
Syrian human rights groups have noted that the public record has not fully explained how Assad and other fugitives were notified of the trial. Additionally, academic and human rights activist Ghina Al-Shoumari questioned the nature of justice for Bashar al-Assad on the Lebanese site Daraj.
