Syrian Court Sentences Assad Cousin Wassim al-Assad to Death for Crimes Against Humanity

Wassim al-Assad, a 46-year-old cousin of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, was sentenced to death on Tuesday. The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, presided over by Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, convicted him of multiple murders and 'murder accompanied by torture and brutality,' acts classified as crimes against humanity and war crimes. Wassim al-Assad stood in the dock; Bashar al-Assad had received a death sentence in absentia last week. The court found Wassim had formed two armed groups loyal to former authorities that carried out deadly attacks near Syria's capital. Proceedings against Bashar and other officials opened in April following the brutal repression of pro-democracy protests that ignited a nearly 14-year civil war. Over 500,000 people lost their lives, millions were displaced, and tens of thousands vanished. The Syrian Arab News Agency/AFP documented the session.