Syrian Court Sentences Ex-President Assad to Death in Absentia

Exam-focused facts from the 12 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

A Syrian court sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his brother Maher to death in absentia for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The verdict was delivered by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus and aired live on state TV.
Assad's cousin Atef Najib, a former security chief, was also sentenced to death for his role in the Daraa crackdown that sparked the civil war.
Najib, who was present in court, has the right to appeal the sentence.
Assad and his brother fled to Russia after their government collapsed in December 2024.
The sentences are the first against Assad or members of his inner circle since the Assad family's five-decade rule ended.