The first session of a trial in absentia for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher began on Sunday, alongside proceedings against several former regime figures.

A judicial source said the process includes in-absentia trials for Assad and his brother, as well as in-person hearings for security and military officials, including Atef Najib.

Najib, a former security official, appeared in court in handcuffs. He previously headed the Political Security branch in Daraa.

He is accused of overseeing crackdowns and mass arrests in the region where protests first erupted in 2011.