Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad, brother to death for war crimes Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother Maher al-Assad were both sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes along with several other defendants. Syria
Iran hangs 2 over alleged Mossad ties as executions mount: What to know Rights groups have warned that Iran may step up executions with the resumption of the war in the region. Iran
'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Lebanon by wiping out entire families and killing children. Lebanon
Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejei gets second term: What to know The veteran judicial official, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations for decades. His reappointment by Mojtaba Khamenei signals continuity in Iran's hardline judicial policies and crackdown on dissent. Iran
New Israeli government to renew controversial law banning Palestinians from uniting with families in Israel The Israeli government is expected to renew the law on citizenship and family reunification, which prohibits Israelis from passing on citizenship or residency to their Palestinian spouses residing in the West Bank or Gaza Strip for family reunification purposes. Palestine
UN's Iran investigator calls for inquiry on Raisi's role in 1988 executions The UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran told Reuters that his office had collected evidence of the mass executions to share with the UN Human Rights Council. Iran
Family reunification law aims to lower number of Palestinian citizens in Israel The family reunification law could endanger the new Israeli government coalition. Palestine
Death of political critic sparks outcry from Palestinian activists Although the Palestinian government has ordered an investigation, some have questioned whether it will be serious and if anyone will be held responsible. Palestine
John Bolton joins newly launched Turkish Democracy Project The group describes its mission as “encouraging Turkey to adopt more democratic policies and responding to the steady erosion of Turkey’s democratic institutions.” News Brief
Egypt arrests TikTok influencer over 'human trafficking' A Cairo court sentenced university student Haneen Hossam to 10 years in prison and fined her 200,000 Egyptian pounds. Egypt
Advocates call for greater focus on democratic rights in Turkey ahead of European summit As European leaders prepare to review EU-Turkey relations in a summit this week, advocates urged greater links between future cooperation and improvements in basic rights and the rule of law in Turkey. Turkey
Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi received training in the US: NYT The New York Times reports that four members of the Saudi team that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi received training under a contract approved by the State Department. Legacy: Gulf
Protests erupt after Tunisia police beat, strip, drag young boy during arrest Angry protesters took to the streets in Tunisia after security forces brutally attacked a boy and dragged him after he was stripped naked, renewing controversy over civil liberty violations and mistreatment of prisoners in the country. Tunisia
Photo appears to show UAE Princess Latifa in Madrid amid house arrest claims Princess Latifa has alleged in secret video recordings that her family is holding her captive and she fears for her safety. United Arab Emirates
Hamas leader says Marwan Barghouti a priority for next prisoner swap with Israel Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh promises the wife of prominent Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti that her husband will be a priority for the next swap deal with Israel. Palestine
Egyptian police search citizens in Cairo ahead of June 30 anniversary The Egyptian security forces are deployed in Cairo’s streets and main squares, amid calls for protests by Egyptian whistleblower and former army contractor Mohamed Ali. Egypt
