In a landmark decision on Tuesday, the Syrian judiciary sentenced Wasim Assad, the cousin of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, to death. This ruling follows similar convictions last week against the former president and several key security officials from his government.
Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian, head of the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, declared the conviction of Wasim Assad for 'premeditated murder, intentional killing of multiple persons, and intentional killing accompanied by acts of torture and brutality, classifying these as crimes against humanity and war crimes.'
The court decided to sentence him to death for these crimes.
According to the Syrian Al-Ikhbariya channel, Wasim Assad's name has been associated with involvement in murder cases, drug trafficking, and distribution, alongside accusations of extortion, forming armed groups, and committing war crimes.
Wasim Assad was apprehended by the internal security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service, on June 21, 2025, at the Syrian-Lebanese border as part of a crackdown on Assad regime symbols.
The trial commenced on June 24, focusing on the testimonies of public witnesses and additional evidence discussion.
Last week, the Damascus Criminal Court issued in absentia death sentences against the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and several key figures of his former regime. They were convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity following the conflict that erupted in the country in 2011.
The court declared Bashar Assad guilty of crimes against humanity and intentional murder, leading to an in absentia death sentence.
The court also sentenced Atef Najib, the former head of political security in Daraa and the ex-president's cousin.
Najib was convicted of several crimes, including 'premeditated murder,' 'intentional killing of children under 15,' and 'torture leading to death.'
The court labeled these acts as 'crimes against humanity,' opting for the harshest penalty, which is execution.