Syrian court sentences Wassim al-Assad to death

What the report says

A Syrian court has sentenced Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, to death after convicting him of crimes linked to Syria’s nearly 14-year war. Al Jazeera reported that the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus delivered the ruling on Tuesday, finding him guilty of offenses including premeditated murder and torture.

Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said Wassim al-Assad was convicted of multiple killings and of murder carried out with torture and brutality, which the court classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes. Video from the courthouse showed him inside the defendant’s cage as the sentence was announced. According to Al Jazeera, he is the first member of the al-Assad family to be sentenced in person.

The ruling comes amid Syria’s transitional justice proceedings after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Al Jazeera said Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher have also received death sentences, but in absentia because they are living in exile in Russia. The court also examined allegations that Wassim al-Assad organized irregular armed groups and took part in military operations in eastern Ghouta, including around al-Mleiha.

Al Jazeera reported that he was acquitted of drug trafficking charges for lack of evidence linking him directly to those accusations. The case is notable because it reflects how Syrian courts are beginning to pursue senior figures associated with the former ruling family and wartime abuses.