Problems seem to compound for former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Assad’s wife and former first lady Asma Fawaz al-Assad has filed for divorce in Russian court.
According to international media reports, Asma al-Assad has objected to living in Moscow and expressed dissatisfaction with the lifestyle. Asma al-Assad wants to get a divorce and move to Britain, and this may only be possible after the separation. Reports indicate that she has applied for special permission to leave Moscow. Her application is under review of Russian authorities.
BBC published a report last week, quoting Dr Nesrin Alrefaai, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) as saying that Asma’s father, Dr Fawaz al-Akhras, is also reported to be in Russia, since the US has imposed sanctions on her father.
According to the report, Asma wants to go to London for treatment. Before marrying Bashar, Asma worked as an investment banker in London.
Asma’s mother, Sahar al-Akhras, a British citizen and former Syrian diplomat, has hired the services of a top London law firm to help her daughter return to Britain. Asma also has a dual citizenship of UK and Syria. She was born and raised in London before marrying Bashar in 2000.
Assad had fled to Russia after Syrian rebels overthrew his government and took over the capital Damascus. As a long-term ally and backer, Russia granted Bashar Al-Assad and his family asylum on “humanitarian grounds”. Bashar and Asma have three children Hafez, Zein and Karim.
However, Bashar Al-Assad and his family are living under strict conditions. He is barred from engaging in any sort of political activities and is not allowed to leave Moscow. His assets have also been frozen by the Russian authorities. Al-Assad brought 270 kilograms of gold and $2 billion with him to Russia, in addition to the 18 apartments in Moscow under his ownerships.
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