Syrian authorities have sent court rulings issued in absentia against ousted president Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher to Interpol as part of efforts to pursue former regime figures accused of serious human rights abuses.
Fakhr al-Din al-Aryan, head of Damascus's Fourth Criminal Court, said on Thursday that the rulings had been referred to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), Syria's official SANA news agency reported.
Al-Aryan explained that the in absentia judgments were not final and would be annulled if the defendants were arrested or surrendered voluntarily, allowing their trials to begin again in their presence.
He said the ruling against Bashar al-Assad was based on evidence that the court said established his responsibility for violations through the chain of command and orders issued, rather than simply his position as president.
The court is currently examining around 61 cases involving serious abuses, having already ruled on four, according to al-Aryan.
He stressed that the Fourth Criminal Court operates under Syria's Supreme Judicial Council and applies Syrian law, rather than functioning as a special or exceptional tribunal.
The court has issued rulings against several prominent figures from the former regime, including Bashar and Maher al-Assad, senior military and security commanders, and former political and religious officials.
The sentences include the death penalty and life imprisonment. Judgments were issued against defendants who were presnet for their trials, including Assad's cousins Atef Najib and Wassim al-Assad and former mufti Ahmad Hassoun.
Al-Aryan accused the Assad regime of systematically concealing evidence and information about detainees before its collapse, complicating efforts to determine the fate of thousands of missing Syrians, whose families still have no definitive proof of their fate.
Assets confiscated to compensate victims
As part of efforts to secure justice for victims, the court has ordered the confiscation of convicted individuals' assets, with the proceeds to be deposited into a designated account pending the establishment of a compensation fund.
Al-Aryan said the measure was intended to protect the rights of victims who had been unable to appear before the court or submit personal compensation claims.
He added that the court had introduced measures to protect witnesses and evidence, including witnesses called by both victims and defendants.
The judge cited the case of Atef Najib, who was previously sentenced to death, saying the court had agreed to his request to hear testimony from protected witnesses identified only by confidential numbers.
Al-Aryan insisted that Syria's transitional justice process would continue, with authorities pursuing those implicated in abuses during the country's brutal conflict.
Russia refuses to extradite Assad
The chances of Bashar al-Assad appearing before a Syrian court today appear quite low.
The former dictation has been living in Russia, where he fled following the collapse of his regime in December 2024.
On 14 October, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko reiterated Moscow's refusal to extradite Assad, declaring that its decision to grant him political asylum on humanitarian grounds was "irreversible".
Borisenko added that Syria's current authorities understood Moscow's position.
Russia has repeatedly ruled out handing over its longtime ally.
In April 2025, Russia's ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, said Assad's extradition was not an option, describing such a possibility as unacceptable under any agreement.
The latest court rulings form part of efforts by Syria's new authorities to hold former regime officials accountable for abuses committed during the country's years of conflict and repression.
However, the transitional justice process continues to face significant challenges, including documenting violations, uncovering the fate of missing and detained Syrians, pursuing suspects living abroad and ensuring victims receive justice and compensation.