DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Syrian court sentenced ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad along with his younger brother to death in absentia on Tuesday for crimes against humanity and war crimes during Syria’s 14-year conflict that left about half a million people dead. “Bashar Assad used state agencies to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said judge Fakhareddine al-Aryan during a court session that was aired live on state TV. Under tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence. The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad’s security forces. Fifteen years later, “there is happiness that Atef Najib was sentenced to death,” he said.