A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted President Bashar Assad and his younger brother to death in absentia over crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the country’s 14-year conflict, which claimed around half a million lives.

Assad’s maternal cousin Atef Najib was also handed a death sentence in the same case for his role in leading a crackdown in the southern province of Daraa in 2011. The crackdown helped trigger an uprising that later escalated into a devastating civil war.

Najib appeared in court under heavy security and stood inside a cage wearing a prison uniform as the judge announced the verdict.

Assad and his brother Maher fled to Russia after insurgents entered Damascus in December 2014.

Najib was subsequently arrested and became one of the most senior former Assad-era officials to face trial.

A former Syrian army brigadier general, Najib headed the Political Security Branch in Daraa province in 2011 during Assad’s rule.