Assad Family Convicted in Absentia | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 11, 2026 · 1m

A Syrian court delivers historic death sentences in absentia to former President Bashar Assad and his brother Maher, convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity from the 14-year civil war — the first such ruling against Assad family members since their ouster. Also sentenced: cousin Atef Najib, a former security chief instrumental in sparking the uprising in 2011, who appeared in court in prison garb. Victims’ families hail it as justice long overdue, while human rights groups condemn the death penalty despite supporting accountability. With Assad and Maher now in Russia, Najib…