(AP PHOTO)Bashar Assad and his brother Maher fled to Russia after insurgents marched into Damascus in 2014. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAPA Syrian court has sentenced ousted Syrian president Bashar Assad along with his younger brother to death in absentia 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 on Tuesday. 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.