The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued death sentences on Tuesday against the ousted and fugitive president Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, former intelligence official Atef Najib, and six additional defendants tried in absentia. The verdict concludes proceedings on charges including murder, torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity.
Presiding Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian announced the ruling during the trial’s ninth session, attended by Prosecutor General Hassan al-Turba, National Authority for Transitional Justice chief Abdul Baset Abdul Latif, representatives of international legal and human rights organizations, and families of victims. The trial opened on April 26, 2026, with closing arguments delivered on August 4.
Key Findings and Sentences
Judge al-Arian stated that investigative records and witness testimony established Atef Najib’s direct involvement in interrogations, torture, and security crackdowns in Daraa following the 2011 uprising. Najib, who headed the Political Security branch in the province, was convicted of murder, torture, and incitement, receiving the maximum penalty of death. He denied all charges during the proceedings. His sentence remains subject to appeal before the Court of Cassation. Najib was arrested by local internal security forces in Latakia on January 31, 2025.
Eight additional defendants were sentenced to death in absentia:
- Bashar Hafiz al-Assad
- Maher Hafiz al-Assad
- Fahd Jassem al-Freij
- Mohammad Ayman Ayyoush
- Louay Ali al-Ali
- Qusay Ibrahim Mahyoub
- Wafiq Saleh Nasser
- Talal Fares al-Aysami
The court found the fugitives responsible for premeditated murder, torture resulting in death, and crimes against humanity. The tribunal underscored that Bashar al-Assad exercised ultimate decision-making authority over the systematic atrocities committed in Daraa and across Syria, including the detention of children, widespread arbitrary arrests, and military assaults on civilian sites such as the Omari Mosque.
Transitional Justice Authority Statement
Following the verdict, the National Authority for Transitional Justice issued a statement describing the ruling as a pivotal step toward establishing accountability, reinforcing the rule of law, and securing judicial redress for victims.
The Authority emphasized that the trial forms part of a broader institutional process encompassing truth-seeking, reparations, historical documentation, and structural reforms designed to prevent future human rights violations.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
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