A criminal court in Damascus sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity.

Axar.az reports, citing Syrian Arab News Agency, that Judge Al-Aryan of the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus said witness testimony established Assad’s role in the crimes as “the highest decision-maker,” and that he had used state institutions to facilitate their commission.

The court convicted Assad of premeditated murder of multiple victims, including children, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes against humanity, and sentenced him to death in absentia.

It should be noted that Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in 2024. He is currently living in Russia, where he was granted asylum after fleeing Syria.