Now Reading: Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia
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Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia
A Syrian criminal court in Damascus has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad to death in absentia for murder, torture, arbitrary arrests and crimes against humanity during Syria's…
The Story in Brief
A Syrian criminal court in Damascus has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad to death in absentia for murder, torture, arbitrary arrests and crimes against humanity during Syria's nearly 14-year civil war that killed about half a million people. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, is the first conviction against Assad by transitional authorities since his regime collapsed in December 2024.
However, Assad remains in Russia, where he and his family were granted asylum after fleeing Damascus when rebel forces captured the city. Times of India reports his location is not publicly confirmed, but a Guardian investigation found he likely lives in Rublyovka, a guarded Moscow suburb. Assad claims he stayed in Damascus until December 8, 2024, and left only after the Russian military evacuated him from Khmeimim airbase.
The Indian Opinion
This death sentence is a symbolic gesture from Syria's new rulers, not a practical step toward justice. The narrative that Assad will face punishment ignores reality: he is safe in Russia under Putin's protection. Russia grants asylum based on political convenience, not humanitarian grounds. The real test is whether Moscow ever extradites him, which seems unlikely. Will the new Syrian government push for extradition or use this verdict to rally domestic support?
Sources (2): ndtv.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
