In a significant ruling, France's top court has annulled the arrest warrant against Syria's former president, Bashar Assad, regarding the 2013 chemical attacks.

The Court of Cassation stated that there are no exceptions to presidential immunity, even for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

However, since Assad is no longer president after being ousted in December, new arrest warrants can be issued against him.

This decision opens up the possibility for continued legal action.

The French judiciary initially pursued the case under universal jurisdiction, a principle that allows courts to prosecute individuals for serious crimes committed abroad.

The court's ruling also addressed the issue of immunity, stating that while 'personal immunity' protects Assad from arrest warrants before his ouster, 'functional immunity' can be lifted in cases involving severe crimes.

This decision sets an important precedent in international law regarding the prosecution of war criminals.

Since Assad's fall in December 2024 marked the end of his family's five-decade rule in Syria, this ruling could have significant implications for his potential legal accountability.