Syrian Court Issues Arrest Warrant in Absentia for Bashar al-Assad

According to Syrian media reports, an investigative court in Damascus has issued an arrest warrant in absentia against President Bashar al-Assad on serious charges linked to the violent events of 2011 in Daraa province.

Tawfiq al-Ali, the investigating judge in the case, stated that the charges include premeditated murder, torture leading to death, and unlawful deprivation of liberty. The announcement, which has also been confirmed by international outlets such as Sputnik, could pave the way for Assad’s prosecution on a global level.

The legal action stems from a complaint filed by the families of victims of the bloody protests on November 23, 2011, in Daraa—a province widely regarded as the birthplace of the uprising against Assad’s rule.

This warrant could potentially trigger international legal proceedings and the issuance of a Red Notice by Interpol, further increasing pressure on the Syrian government. For Afghans living under Taliban rule, the development holds symbolic significance, showing that even entrenched leaders may eventually be held accountable before justice.