🔺A court in Damascus sentenced Bashar al-Assad and his brother to death in absentia

◾On Tuesday, the Fourth Criminal Court of Damascus sentenced Bashar al-Assad, former President of Syria, and his brother Maher al-Assad to death in absentia. The charges against them are crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict, which left nearly half a million dead.

◾Atef Najib, Bashar al-Assad’s cousin, was also sentenced to death in the same case. He was the only defendant who was present in court and heard the verdict.

◾Najib’s charges include murder, torture, and arbitrary detention during the crackdown on protests in Daraa in 2011. He was also accused, in connection with the detention and torture of children, whose detention sparked protests that later led to a nationwide uprising.