Kathmandu— Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was sentenced to death in absentia on Tuesday by a criminal court in Damascus, after being found guilty of premeditated murder and charges linked to the country’s thirteen-year civil war. Atef Najib, formerly head of political security in Deraa province, received the same sentence for similar offenses. The rulings mark the first death sentences against Assad issued by Syria's transitional authorities, established after opposition forces ousted him from power in December 2024 and granted him asylum in Russia.

Overthrow And Exile

Opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive from Idlib province that reached Damascus on December 8, 2024, ending more than five decades of Assad family rule. Following the ouster, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who commanded the offensive, became head of Syria’s transitional authorities and pledged to hold those responsible for atrocities committed during the Assad era accountable. Al-Sharaa also addressed the UN General Assembly, calling for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria.

Assad's Account Of Departure

In a statement published on Telegram, Assad denied that his departure was planned or occurred during final battles in Damascus, claiming he remained in the city carrying out duties until December 8th. He stated he moved to a Russian military base in Latakia intending to oversee operations, and Moscow requested his evacuation to Russia when the base became untenable. According to Assad, the evacuation took place after the fall of Damascus and collapse of state institutions.

Years Of Conflict And Allegations

Assad assumed the presidency in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, and ruled for over two decades. His presidency was marked by a devastating civil war that began in 2011 with protests against the government during the Arab Spring uprisings. The demonstrations were met with a deadly crackdown, escalating into a thirteen-year armed conflict resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and fragmentation of the country. Rights groups accused Assad’s government of widespread human rights violations throughout the war.

Evidence Of Abuse

Following the collapse of his government, opposition fighters and advocates reported discovering evidence of alleged abuses, torture, and mass executions at prisons that held thousands of detainees. Tens of thousands of Syrians remain unaccounted for after being held in government custody.

The death sentence against Assad represents a significant judicial action by Syria’s transitional authorities, though its practical impact remains limited as the former president continues to reside outside the country in Russia.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.