Syria sentences Bashar Assad’s cousin to death

Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been sentenced to death after being convicted of crimes committed during Syria’s nearly 14-year war.

The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued the ruling on August 18, finding Wassim al-Assad guilty of offenses including premeditated murder and torture.

The verdict is the latest in a series of cases against former members and associates of the Assad regime over alleged crimes committed during the conflict.

Last week, the Damascus court sentenced Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and their cousin Atef Najib to death over crimes including murder, torture, and crimes against humanity.

By Vafa Guliyeva