A Syrian court sentenced ousted president Bashar Assad and his younger brother to death in absentia on Tuesday, finding them guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Syria's 14-year civil conflict, which killed roughly half a million people. The ruling, handed down by the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus, marks the first conviction of Assad or a member of his inner circle since the fall of his family's five-decade rule around 20 months ago.

Prosecutors said Assad had used state agencies to carry out atrocities against Syrian civilians throughout the war. The verdict represents a symbolic milestone for Syria's new authorities as they attempt to hold the former regime accountable, though Assad remains outside the country and is unlikely to face the sentence in person.