10 Former Presidents and Leaders Sentenced to Death

International, 12 August 2026 - From Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Iraq, Pakistan and Romania, several former heads of state and government have faced the death penalty after being removed from power. Their convictions have involved allegations ranging from crimes against humanity and genocide to treason, murder and political repression. Here are 10 prominent cases.

Bashar al-Assad - Syria: Assad, who ruled Syria from 2000 to 2024, was reportedly sentenced to death in absentia by a Damascus court on 11 August 2026. He was convicted of murder, torture and crimes against humanity linked to the Syrian war. His brother, Maher al-Assad, also received a death sentence in absentia.

Joseph Kabila - DR Congo: Kabila, who served as president from 2001 to 2019, was sentenced to death in absentia by a military court in Kinshasa on 30 September 2025. He was convicted of crimes including crimes against humanity, murder, sexual violence, torture and incitement to rebellion, amid accusations of supporting an armed group linked to M23.

Sheikh Hasina - Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s former prime minister was sentenced to death in absentia on 17 November 2025 over crimes against humanity linked to the government’s response to student protests in 2024. Hasina fled to India and rejected the proceedings as politically motivated.

Pervez Musharraf - Pakistan: Musharraf, who was president from 2001 to 2008, was sentenced to death in absentia in December 2019 for high treason after suspending the constitution and declaring a state of emergency in 2007. The sentence was overturned by the Lahore High Court in January 2020. Musharraf died in Dubai in 2023.

Mengistu Haile Mariam - Ethiopia: Mengistu ruled Ethiopia from 1977 to 1991 under the Derg military regime. He was sentenced to death in absentia in 2008 after being convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during his rule. He fled to Zimbabwe.

Saddam Hussein - Iraq: Saddam, who ruled Iraq from 1979 to 2003, was sentenced to death in November 2006 after being convicted of crimes against humanity over the 1982 Dujail massacre, in which 148 Shiite civilians were killed. His appeal was rejected, and he was executed by hanging on 30 December 2006.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto - Pakistan: Pakistan’s former prime minister was sentenced to death in March 1978 after being convicted of involvement in the assassination of politician Muhammad Ahmed Khan Kasuri. Bhutto was executed by hanging on 4 April 1979.

Nicolae Ceaușescu - Romania: Ceaușescu, who ruled Romania from 1974 to 1989, and his wife Elena were sentenced to death by a military tribunal on 25 December 1989 after a popular uprising toppled their government. They were convicted of charges including genocide and treason and executed by firing squad the same day.

Francisco Macías Nguema - Equatorial Guinea: The country’s first president, who ruled from 1968 to 1979, was overthrown by his nephew, Teodoro Obiang, in 1979. A military tribunal convicted him of genocide, murder, embezzlement, human rights violations and treason. He was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on 29 September 1979 alongside six other defendants.

Jean-Bédel Bokassa - Central African Republic: Bokassa ruled the Central African Republic for more than a decade and later proclaimed himself emperor. After his overthrow in 1979, he was convicted of crimes including the killing of political opponents and students who protested against government-imposed school uniforms. He was sentenced to death, but the punishment was commuted to life imprisonment in 1987.