WorldSyria sentences Bashar al-Assad and former officials to death over war crimes

A criminal court in Damascus has sentenced Atif Najib, a former Syrian security chief in Daraa, to death for taking part in the 2011 crackdown on protesters. Eight other former regime figures were also sentenced in absentia, including Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher. The convictions cover war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder, arbitrary detention and torture, including abuses involving children. The ruling is being regarded as a landmark step toward transitional justice.