In a significant ruling, a Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad and his cousin, Atef Najib, the former head of political security in southern Syria's Deraa province, to death in absentia for their roles in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity during Syria's prolonged civil war. The verdict was pronounced on April 14, 2025, more than three years after Assad fled Damascus for Moscow with his family following the fall of his regime in December 2024. Najib, who appeared inside a courtroom cage during the hearing, was convicted of offenses including murder, "intentional killing of children under 15," and "torture leading to death." Deraa, often referred to as the birthplace of the uprising against Assad's rule, witnessed nationwide demonstrations in March 2011 when security forces responded violently to protests sparked by the detention and alleged torture of a group of teenagers accused of writing anti-government graffiti. Syria's interim government has been trying officials associated with the Assad regime since earlier this year, making Najib one of the highest-ranking officials to face trial. However, it remains uncertain whether Syria's new authorities can secure Assad's extradition from Moscow, where he sought refuge as forces under Ahmed al-Sharaa, now Syria's president, swept to power in a swift 11-day campaign that toppled the Assad dynasty. Since then, numerous former officials and security personnel have been detained by the new government, though most senior figures from the old regime, including Assad himself, remain out of reach in Russia. Previous attempts by Syrian opposition figures to pursue Assad through courts in Western countries during his rule did not result in any convictions.