DAMASCUS, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A Syrian court sentenced ousted leader Bashar al-Assad to death on Tuesday after a trial in absentia, convicting him of crimes including killings, torture, and arbitrary arrest during the country's nearly 14-year war. Syrians gathered around the court in Damascus, chanting, clapping and waving the Syrian flag as news of the sentences spread. Najib, a cousin of the Assads, was detained by Syrian security forces in early 2025 and was the only accused to be tried in person. However, some said the death sentence would diminish any chance of Assad and his fellow defendants being repatriated to face justice in their home country. "There is a huge problem, which is that no one will hand over a criminal to a country that issues a death sentence.