Assad Relatives Arrested at Beirut Airport Amid Legal Turmoil
Relatives of Bashar Assad were arrested at Beirut Airport while trying to flee Lebanon using forged passports. Rasha Khazem and her daughter were detained shortly after other family members left the country amid heightened scrutiny due to war crimes charges against Rifaat Assad, Bashar’s uncle. This incident is set against a backdrop of political instability and efforts to arrest individuals linked to the Assad regime.
Lebanese authorities detained relatives of Bashar Assad on Friday at the Beirut airport as they attempted to travel to Egypt using allegedly forged passports. Rasha Khazem, wife of Duraid Assad—who is the son of former Vice President Rifaat Assad, Bashar’s uncle—and their daughter Shams were arrested after being smuggled into Lebanon. Their detention follows the departure of Rifaat Assad from Lebanon just the day prior. Details emerged from multiple anonymous Lebanese officials, underscoring the precarious situation facing members of the Assad family amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding their past actions during Hamah many years ago.
The backdrop of this incident includes ongoing legal challenges for Rifaat Assad, who faces war crimes and crimes against humanity charges in Switzerland stemming from his alleged involvement in the Hama massacre decades prior. This situation comes against the larger context of political instability in Syria, particularly following insurgent forces entering Damascus earlier this month, leading to a mass exodus of individuals allegedly affiliated with the Assad regime. Furthermore, the Lebanese authorities have been active in arresting over twenty former members of the Syrian military, reflecting a broader effort to combat remnants of the prior regime’s influence within Lebanon. Additionally, Interpol has recommended the arrest of Jamil al-Hassan, the former Syrian intelligence chief, emphasizing the international ramifications pertinent to the Assad family.
The arrests of relatives of Bashar Assad at Beirut Airport illustrate the significant political and legal challenges that members of the Assad family are currently facing. Rifaat Assad, Bashar’s uncle, is under indictment in Switzerland for war crimes and has garnered notoriety for his infamous actions during the Hama massacre while leading Syria’s military forces decades ago. Amidst Syria’s turbulence, particularly with the recent overthrow of various regime supporters, many individuals associated with the Assad family are attempting to flee, resulting in a heightened crackdown from Lebanese authorities. The emergence of Interpol notices further complicates this political landscape, signaling a concerted effort to hold accountable those responsible for past atrocities.
The arrest of Rasha Khazem and her daughter at the Beirut airport highlights the vulnerable position of the Assad family as they attempt to escape the unfolding consequences of their past. With ongoing legal proceedings against prominent members and a crackdown on former regime affiliates in Lebanon, the situation reflects the complexities that many face in the aftermath of Syria’s protracted conflict. Law enforcement actions, including Interpol notices, underscore the continuing global pursuit of accountability for human rights violations associated with the Assad regime.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
