Ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad sentenced to death almost two years after fleeing Syria

More than 150,000 are estimated to have disappeared and likely been killed under Assad’s regime (Picture: Reuters)

Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity and war crimes during his time in office.

In December 2024, Syria’s 14-year civil war came to an end and Bashar, along with his younger brother, Maher, fled to Russia, where they’ve remained to this day.

This week, a Syrian court sentenced Assad and his brother to death in abstentia at the Criminal Court of Damascus.

Judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan said: ...