Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad given death sentence

A court in Syria has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad to death for crimes he committed during the civil war.

The Criminal Court in Damascus found Mr al-Assad guilty of premeditated murder on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera.

Mr al-Assad has been in exile, reportedly in Russia, since he left office. He was sentenced to death alongside Ate Najib, the former head of political security in Deraa province, Southern Syria.

Mr Najib was also convicted of premeditated murder and torture.

The court stated that the actions of Assad’s government in Deraa province in 2011 were crimes against humanity.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, Syria is now run by former rebel fighters who fought against Mr al-Assad’s government.