Lebanese authorities have arrested the wife and daughter of Duraid Assad, a cousin of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad, for attempting to travel with forged passports. The arrest occurred on Friday at Beirut’s airport as they tried to board a flight to Egypt.
Rasha Khazem, the wife of Duraid Assad, and their daughter, Shams, were reportedly smuggled into Lebanon before their travel attempt. According to officials, they were detained by Lebanon’s General Security. Meanwhile, Duraid’s father, Rifaat Assad, departed Lebanon the previous day using a legitimate passport without any issues.
Rifaat Assad, the brother of Hafez Assad—Syria’s former ruler and Bashar Assad’s father—is a controversial figure. Nicknamed the “Butcher of Hama,” Rifaat led the military unit responsible for the 1982 Hama massacre, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Earlier this year, Swiss prosecutors indicted him for war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the atrocities.
The arrests of Assad’s relatives come amidst heightened tensions in Lebanon following Bashar Assad’s removal from power earlier this month. Tens of thousands of Syrians, many fleeing insurgent advances in Damascus, have crossed into Lebanon, often through illegal means.
Lebanese authorities have also arrested over 20 individuals tied to the Assad regime, including members of Syria’s notorious 4th Division and military intelligence, some of whom were caught attempting to sell weapons.
Adding to the pressure, Lebanon’s public prosecution office received an Interpol notice requesting the arrest of Jamil Al-Hassan, the former head of Syrian intelligence. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has confirmed Lebanon’s readiness to cooperate with the international request.
The arrests underscore the challenges Lebanon faces as it grapples with an influx of refugees and high-profile figures fleeing the fallout of Syria’s political collapse.
Rasha Khazem, the wife of Duraid Assad, and their daughter, Shams, were reportedly smuggled into Lebanon before their travel attempt. According to officials, they were detained by Lebanon’s General Security. Meanwhile, Duraid’s father, Rifaat Assad, departed Lebanon the previous day using a legitimate passport without any issues.
Rifaat Assad, the brother of Hafez Assad—Syria’s former ruler and Bashar Assad’s father—is a controversial figure. Nicknamed the “Butcher of Hama,” Rifaat led the military unit responsible for the 1982 Hama massacre, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Earlier this year, Swiss prosecutors indicted him for war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the atrocities.
The arrests of Assad’s relatives come amidst heightened tensions in Lebanon following Bashar Assad’s removal from power earlier this month. Tens of thousands of Syrians, many fleeing insurgent advances in Damascus, have crossed into Lebanon, often through illegal means.
Lebanese authorities have also arrested over 20 individuals tied to the Assad regime, including members of Syria’s notorious 4th Division and military intelligence, some of whom were caught attempting to sell weapons.
Adding to the pressure, Lebanon’s public prosecution office received an Interpol notice requesting the arrest of Jamil Al-Hassan, the former head of Syrian intelligence. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has confirmed Lebanon’s readiness to cooperate with the international request.
The arrests underscore the challenges Lebanon faces as it grapples with an influx of refugees and high-profile figures fleeing the fallout of Syria’s political collapse.
