Syrian court issues arrest warrant in absentia for Bashar al-Assad

A Syrian investigating judge has issued an arrest warrant in absentia against former President Bashar al-Assad, accusing him of crimes related to the 2011 events in the southern city of Daraa.

On September 27, Judge Tawfiq al-Ali told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that the warrant includes charges of premeditated murder, torture resulting in death, and unlawful deprivation of liberty, Caliber.Az reports. 

The judicial decision paves the way for the warrant to be circulated through Interpol, enabling international pursuit of the case.

This move follows a lawsuit filed by families of victims from the November 23, 2011, incidents in Daraa, which marked a significant escalation in the Syrian conflict.

By Sabina Mammadli