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Amnesty International Condemns Absentee Death Sentences, Calls for Judicial Reform
Amnesty International condemned in a statement on Tuesday the issuance of absentee death sentences against Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad, and Atif Najib, describing them as the first of their kind handed down by Syria’s transitional authorities. The organization urged Damascus to abolish trials held in absentia and to repeal the death penalty, to criminalize core international crimes in domestic law, and to implement judicial reforms as essential steps toward closing the chapter on past abuses.
Amnesty emphasized that prosecuting those responsible for crimes committed during the Assad era should serve as a step toward achieving justice, uncovering the truth, and providing remedies for victims. Such prosecutions, the organization said, should take place before ordinary civilian courts, with victim participation and without resorting to the death penalty. It also called for the incorporation of core international crimes into national legislation and for judicial accountability to be part of a comprehensive, victim-centered strategy implemented nationwide.
Judicial rulings
The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus convicted in absentia defendants of crimes including intentional killing, torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity, and sentenced former head of the Political Security Branch in Daraa Atif Najib to death. The court also issued an in absentia death sentence against Bashar al-Assad in the case related to violations by security agencies during the Daraa events. Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Arian said investigations and witness testimonies implicated Najib in interrogations of detainees after the protests began in Daraa and in security operations—alongside other security branches—that included the storming of the Omari Mosque. The court determined that the acts attributed to Najib amounted to crimes against humanity and held that Bashar al-Assad bore responsibility as the "highest decision-maker."
The court additionally criminalized several fugitives named in the case—including Maher Hafez al-Assad and other security figures—and sentenced them in absentia to death on charges including intentional killing and torture resulting in death.
Background and reactions
The case centers on Najib’s role—he is a cousin of Bashar al-Assad—in quelling protests in Daraa that ignited the Syrian uprising on 18 March 2011, after the arrest and torture of children for writing anti-regime slogans. Najib was also linked to the storming of the Omari Mosque and abuses against residents, measures that led to his listing on U.S. and EU sanctions lists in April–May 2011.
Syrian officials welcomed the death sentences for senior figures of the former regime, portraying them as the will of the people and a victory for justice that confirms there will be no impunity. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said the rulings represent justice for victims and hailed the issuance of the first death sentences as a historic step toward redressing victims and holding perpetrators to account. Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais told state media that the verdicts followed judicial procedures and were issued "in the name of the Syrian people," asserting that they comply with Syrian penal law and international humanitarian law and reflect the people's choice to build a new state based on justice, citizenship, and the rule of law. Other ministers similarly framed the rulings as advancing transitional justice, victim rights, and the prevention of impunity.
