Syrian court sentences Maher Assad to death over wartime actions

A Syrian court has sentenced Maher Assad, the brother of ousted President Bashar Assad, to death in proceedings tied to his actions during Syria's civil war. The verdict was issued by judicial mechanisms established after the fall of the Assad administration in December 2024, according to the report. Syrian opposition groups and human rights organizations had long accused Maher Assad of involvement in war crimes committed during the conflict. Details of the judicial process, including the specific charges heard and any avenues for appeal, were expected to become clearer in the coming days. Maher Assad led the Fourth Armored Division, an elite unit of the Syrian military, and was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the former president's inner circle. The sentencing marks one of the highest-profile cases to emerge from the transitional justice efforts underway in Syria since the change of power. Further information on the case, including the court's full ruling and procedural next steps, had not been immediately available.