A Syrian court sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia on August 11, 2026, convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country's civil war, according to BBC News and NPR.
Assad's brother was also sentenced to death in absentia, NPR reported. Assad had previously been ousted from power before the sentencing was handed down.
Syria's civil conflict lasted approximately 14 years and killed roughly half a million people, NPR said.