Wife and Daughter of Syrian President’s Cousin Arrested in Lebanon

Attempted to Fly Out with Forged Passports

The wife and daughter of one of deposed Syrian president Bashar Assad’s cousins were arrested Friday at the Beirut airport, where they attempted to fly out with allegedly forged passports, Lebanese judicial and security officials said. Assad’s uncle departed the day before.

Background

Rasha Khazem, the wife of Duraid Assad — the son of former Syrian vice-president Rifaat Assad, the uncle of Bashar Assad — and their daughter, Shams, were smuggled illegally into Lebanon and were trying to fly to Egypt when they were arrested, according to five Lebanese officials familiar with the case. They were being detained by Lebanese General Security. Rifaat had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said.

Indictment in Switzerland

Swiss federal prosecutors in March indicted Rifaat on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for allegedly ordering murder and torture more than four decades ago.

Rifaat’s Past

Rifaat Assad, the brother of Bashar Assad’s father Hafez Assad, Syria’s former ruler, led the artillery unit that shelled the city of Hama and killed thousands, earning him the nickname the “Butcher of Hama.”

Recent Events

Earlier this year, Rifaat Assad was indicted in Switzerland for war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Hama.

Tens of thousands of Syrians are believed to have entered Lebanon illegally on the night of Assad’s fall earlier this month, when insurgent forces entered Damascus.

Other Arrests

The Lebanese security and judicial officials said that more than 20 members of the former Syrian Army’s notorious 4th Division, military intelligence officers and others affiliated with Assad’s security forces were arrested earlier in Lebanon. Some of them were arrested when they attempted to sell their weapons.

Lebanon’s public prosecution office also received an Interpol notice requesting the arrest of Jamil al-Hassan, the former director of Syrian intelligence under Assad. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati previously told Reuters that Lebanon would co-operate with the Interpol request to arrest al-Hassan.

Conclusion

The arrests of Rifaat’s wife and daughter, as well as other members of the Syrian regime, are a significant development in the aftermath of Assad’s fall. The international community is watching closely to see how Lebanon will handle the influx of Syrian refugees and the potential for further violence in the region.

FAQs

* What is the significance of Rifaat Assad’s arrest?
+ Rifaat Assad is a key figure in the Syrian regime and has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
* What is the current situation in Lebanon?
+ Lebanon is experiencing a significant influx of Syrian refugees and is working to provide aid and support to those in need.
* What is the role of Interpol in the arrest of Jamil al-Hassan?
+ Interpol has issued a notice requesting the arrest of Jamil al-Hassan, the former director of Syrian intelligence under Assad. Lebanon’s public prosecution office has received the notice and is working to cooperate with Interpol to arrest al-Hassan.