A Syrian court in the country's capital city of Damascus laid down a historic ruling on Aug. 11 — convicting the country’s former dictator President Bashar al-Assad with crimes against humanity — and sentencing him to death.

Assad, who led the country during Syria’s nearly 14-year revolutionary conflict, abandoned his generals and fled the besieged nation to Russia in 2024, after rebels gained an offensive foothold and stormed Damascus in a stunning takeover.

According to the Washington Post, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has requested Russia extradite the former dictator, though it’s unlikely the nation will follow through.