The Assad clan used a network of offshore companies to hide assets, including luxury hotels, private jets and even plantations in Argentina.
Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s assets may reach $12 billion, amassed during half a century of dictatorial rule. The Wall Street Journal writes about it on Sunday, December 15.
“According to US State Department estimates for 2022, the value of businesses and assets associated with the Assads may reach $12 billion,” the publication wrote.
It is indicated that the Assad family received a large part of its funds through state monopolies and drug trafficking, especially Captagon.
“The income from its sales is estimated at $2.4 billion a year. The clan then partially reinvested these funds in jurisdictions inaccessible to international law, where sanctions against the Assads doesn’t apply, and the money was also used to finance repression and military campaigns. They have a lot of time before the revolution to launder your money,” said Andrew Tabler, who is responsible for Syria policy in one of the structures of the National Security Council under the White House.
He emphasized that the enrichment of the Assads was not hindered by the fact that most Syrians found themselves on the brink of poverty.
“While ordinary Syrians suffered from poverty, the children of influential regime figures flaunted their wealth by posting pictures of expensive cars and expensive parties,” Tabler said.
The WSJ recalls that in 2019, a French court froze $95 million linked to Rifaat al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad’s uncle. However, much of the wealth located in countries such as Russia and the UAE still remains outside the reach of international sanctions.
The opposition, which is trying to form a new government in Syria, says it plans to return these funds to the Syrian people.
As you know, on December 8, rebel forces in Damascus declared the capital “free” from Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia. The day before, an interim prime minister was appointed in Syria.
In Russia they talked about Assad’s “safety” and his future
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.