Damascus court sentences former President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher and seven former regime officials to death for killings linked to the 2011 Deraa uprising. Judges convict Assad in absentia of premeditated murder, torture, arbitrary detention and crimes described as crimes against humanity, while ordering international pursuit of the former ruler. While Najib appeared before the court and stood trial in person, Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad, and the remaining defendants were tried in absentia after fleeing the country following the collapse of the Assad government. The court further ordered Syrian authorities to pursue Bashar and Maher internationally in an effort to bring them before the country’s justice system. Assad Remains Beyond Syria’s ReachDespite the landmark convictions, Bashar al-Assad remains outside the reach of Syrian authorities.