Syrian Court Condemns Assad in Absentia for War Crimes

A Damascus court sentenced former president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on August 11, 2026, convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria's civil war. "In absentia" means tried without being present. His brother Maher received the same sentence. Both remain free — Assad fled to Moscow in 2024, and Russia won't extradite him.