The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus sentenced Vassim al-Assad, cousin of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, to death for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed against the Syrian people.
The court ruled that Vassim al-Assad’s movable and immovable property should be transferred to the state treasury. The verdict was announced at the defendant’s sixth hearing.
The court’s assessment of the charges
Judge Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan said the evidence showed that an armed group linked to Vassim al-Assad had attacked a commercial establishment in the town of Jaramana, south of Damascus. Al-Aryan said the group stole goods from the business and kidnapped its owner, who opposed the deposed government.
Al-Aryan said the same group was also involved in the kidnapping and killing of civilians in various parts of Syria. He stated that Vassim al-Assad had been convicted of the intentional killing of multiple people and torture. The court classified these acts as crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Armed groups and the East Ghouta case
Vassim al-Assad was also charged with forming and commanding irregular armed groups from early 2011 onward. The court file alleged that the groups were established on the orders of Brigadier General Ghayath Dalla, commander of the Fourth Division.
The groups, which were linked to the Fourth Division commanded by Bashar al-Assad’s brother Maher al-Assad, allegedly took part in military operations targeting areas inhabited by civilians in East Ghouta in southwestern Syria. The charges also included the deaths of civilians, particularly in the town of al-Mulayha.
Vassim al-Assad also faced charges of drug trafficking and premeditated murder.
Detention and earlier death sentences
Syrian security forces detained Vassim al-Assad near the Syria-Lebanon border on June 21, 2025. The first hearing in his case was held on June 24.
A week earlier, the same court had sentenced Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad and six former officials to death on charges including killing, torture, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia on December 8, 2024, after nearly 25 years in power. The development brought an end to Baath Party rule, which had begun in 1963. A transitional government was formed in January 2025 under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
