Bashar al Assad, Atef Najib Sentenced to Death in Landmark Syria Trial The sentencing of Bashar al Assad, Syria's former president, and Atef Najib, his former right hand man in Deraa province, has sparked debate about whether it marks a genuine shift in the pursuit of accountability in Syria.
The conviction of two men widely regarded as symbols of the regime's brutality is a milestone, but it raises more questions than answers.
The trial, which took place in Damascus' Criminal Court, was a rare instance of high ranking officials being held accountable for their actions during Syria's civil war.