Syria's former president Bashir al-Assad sentenced to death in absentia at trial

In a landmark decision, Syria's court has handed down death sentences to Bashar al-Assad and his brother for their roles in the brutal crackdown during the ongoing civil war, which has claimed nearly half a million lives over the past 14 years. This ruling is symbolic, as neither has been in Syria to face trial. The sentences highlight the severity of the crimes committed and underscore the ongoing international pursuit for justice in Syria's devastating conflict, which has displaced millions and reshaped the region's geopolitical landscape.