Syrian court sentences Assad's cousin to death, issues in absentia rulings against ousted leader and brother

DAMASCUS, Syria — A Syrian court has sentenced Atef Najeeb, a former security official and cousin of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 2011 uprising in Deraa. Syria's Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued the verdict after finding Najeeb, 66, guilty of leading security operations against civilians while heading the political security branch in Deraa during the early months of the revolt. The same court issued death sentences in absentia against eight defendants, including Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher al-Assad. Former defense minister Fahd Jassem al-Freij and Luai al-Ali, who headed Deraa's military intelligence branch in 2011, also received in absentia death sentences. According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, the court said investigations and witness testimony showed Najeeb interrogated detainees and took part in the raid on the Umayyad Mosque in Deraa. Presiding judge Fahreddin al-Aryan said the defendant denied all charges at trial and showed no remorse when confronted with victims. Abdullatif Abdulbasit, head of the International Transitional Justice Commission, called the ruling an important step for victims. Syria's transitional government has pledged to pursue accountability for abuses carried out under Assad, who was overthrown late last year after nearly 14 years of civil war.