Former Syrian President Assad sentenced to death in absentia

A Syrian court sentenced Assad along with his 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.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2037+0+0/resize/3000x2037!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fea%2F15%2Fe2a034034f6d9a840cb086c3b695%2Fap26223320881697.jpg' alt='FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2010 file photo, Syria President Bashar al-Assad arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris for his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.'/><p>A Syrian court sentenced Assad along with his 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.</p><p>(Image credit: Remy de la Mauviniere)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=g-s1-138166' />