DAMACUS : The Criminal Court in Damascus delivered the verdict on Tuesday, finding Assad guilty of premeditated murder and ruling that crimes committed by his government in Deraa amounted to crimes against humanity.
Atef Najib, the former head of the Political Security branch in Deraa and a cousin of Assad, was also sentenced to death. Najib was convicted of premeditated murder and torture for his role in the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations. Unlike Assad, Najib was present in court when the verdict was announced.
Najib had headed political security in Deraa when protests erupted in 2011. The harsh response to demonstrations in the southern province became one of the key triggers of the nationwide uprising that eventually developed into Syria’s prolonged civil war.
Read More
- IndiGo cancels Riyadh flights until October 31, 3 other Saudi routes until October 27 amid evolving security situation
- UAE closes all beaches in Umm Al Quwain after tanker oil spill detected
- Earthquake of Magnitude 7.0 Strikes Tibet; 16 Dead, 32 injured
- Nigeria reports first imported Ebola Bundibugyo case in Abuja: WHO
- US midterm voting begins in Texas as Democrats target historic gains
For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
