On August 11, 2026, a court in Damascus issued a historic ruling against former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who has lived in exile in Russia since his ouster in 2024. Assad was sentenced to death in absentia, reflecting accountability for crimes against humanity and war crimes he committed during years of civil conflict in Syria.
Alongside Assad, the court similarly sentenced seven former security officials, which included his brother Maher and his cousin Atef Najib. This marks the first ruling since the regime’s collapse in December 2024.
A snapshot of ongoing resilience and grief was visible as Syrians gathered outside the Palace of Justice in Damascus. They held photographs of relatives lost to the conflict, demonstrating a powerful reminder of the deep scars left by years of warfare.