Syria court sentences Bashar al-Assad’s cousin to death
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus on Tuesday sentenced Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to death after convicting him of multiple killings and crimes against civilians.
Court President Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the court convicted Wassim al-Assad of intentional killing, the intentional killing of multiple people, and killings accompanied by torture and brutality against people, describing the offenses as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The court also ordered the confiscation of al-Assad’s movable and immovable assets in favor of the state treasury.
According to the investigation, Wassim al-Assad was involved in forming irregular armed groups under the orders of Brig. Gen. Ghiyath Dala. The groups allegedly targeted civilian areas in eastern Damascus’ Ghouta and committed massacres against civilians, particularly in the town of al-Malihah.
The ruling comes a week after a Damascus criminal court issued death sentences in absentia against former President Bashar al-Assad and several senior figures from his government after convicting them of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the conflict that began in 2011.
Syrian Internal Security Forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service, arrested Wassim al-Assad on June 21, 2025, at the Syrian-Lebanese border, according to Syrian authorities.
His trial began on June 24, 2025, with court sessions including testimony from public witnesses and consideration of additional evidence.
The case is part of broader judicial proceedings launched by Syria’s post-Assad authorities against figures accused of involvement in killings and other serious violations during the country’s conflict.