A Syrian court sentenced ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad along with his younger brother to death in absentia today for crimes against humanity and war crimes. The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad's security forces. The protests were met by a brutal government crackdown and spiralled into a 14-year civil war that ended with Assad's ouster in a lightning rebel offensive. The civil war also saw the exodus of 6.6million people from the country, who all fled for fear of their lives. As the civil war progressed through its 13 years, Najib was increasingly sidelined by the regime.