AP —A Syrian court sentenced ousted Syrian President Bashar al-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. Syrian Ministry of JusticeAmid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence. Najib is a former Syrian army brigadier general who was head of the Political Security Branch in southern Syria’s Daraa province under Assad in 2011. The case became a catalyst for mass protests against the repressive policies of Assad’s security forces.