Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death

A court in Syria has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death. In the same case, his close associate and former head of political security in Deraa province, Atef Najib, has also been given the maximum punishment. The ruling was delivered by the Criminal Court in Damascus on Tuesday, August 11.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Assad and Najib were found guilty of various crimes committed during Syria's long civil war.

The court held Bashar al-Assad responsible for premeditated murder. Atef Najib was found guilty of premeditated murder as well as torture.

The ruling stated that the crimes committed in Deraa province under the Assad government in 2011 amounted to crimes against humanity.

The Syrian civil war began in 2011 following a crackdown on anti-government protests. At the time, security forces were widely accused of repression and human rights violations.

This ruling represents a significant step in the judicial process against Bashar al-Assad for the crimes committed under his rule.