Assad, his younger brother Maher and six of the seven other former officials handed death sentences by the Damascus court were tried in absentia. They are “mostly symbolic” for Assad and his brother, who both fled to exile in Russia after their government’s “stunning collapse.” The verdicts handed down by Syria’s “transitional authorities” should “set a strong legal precedent for others accused of crimes” under the previous regime, said Al Jazeera. Syria’s National Commission for Transitional Justice said Najib can appeal his verdict but the absent defendants forfeited that right. From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.