Syrian court sentences Wasim Assad to death for war crimes

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) announced on Sunday that Wasim Assad, a cousin of former President Bashar Assad, has been sentenced to death after being convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity against civilians in Syria.

According to the agency, the verdict is part of transitional justice efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes committed during the previous regime. Wasim Assad was found guilty of forming irregular armed groups that took part in military operations resulting in civilian deaths.

The statement added that the conviction also covered acts of kidnapping and theft, as well as incitement to violence and extortion of citizens at gunpoint.

Wasim Assad was arrested by internal security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Directorate, on June 21, 2025, at the Syrian-Lebanese border as part of a campaign targeting figures from the Assad regime.

His trial began on June 24, 2025, with sessions including testimony from public witnesses and the examination of additional testimonies.