Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has fled to UAE amid war crimes charges from Swiss authorities. Known as the “Butcher of Hama,” he oversaw a violent crackdown in 1982. Despite accusations, no Interpol arrests have been made; significant turmoil continues following recent political changes in Syria.
Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of the ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates via Lebanon. Known as the “Butcher of Hama” for his role in the brutal suppression of the 1982 Muslim Brotherhood uprising, Rifaat is facing war crimes charges from Swiss authorities over his actions during that period. His recent departure comes amid significant political upheaval following Bashar al-Assad’s ousting on December 8.
Lebanese officials disclosed that many members of the Assad family have traveled to Dubai, while some have remained in Lebanon. Despite their movements, there have been no Interpol requests for their arrest, indicating a temporary lapse in international legal repercussions. The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry has not provided comments regarding this situation.
Rifaat al-Assad is in his late 80s and was instrumental in his brother Hafez al-Assad’s rise to power. Following his infamous suppression of the Hama uprising, which resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 individuals, Rifaat left Syria for exile, living in various countries including Switzerland, Spain, and France. A Swiss court previously found him guilty of fraudulent property acquisition based on misappropriated Syrian state funds.
Recent developments indicated that Rifaat’s family also faced scrutiny, with reports of his son Duraid’s family being detained over attempted travel with false legal documents. Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities continue to monitor the movements of other Syrian officials, reflecting a tense atmosphere amidst ongoing investigations into various war crime accusations related to the Assad regime.
The political landscape in Syria has been turbulent, particularly following the recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Rifaat al-Assad, a significant figure in this narrative, has a notorious reputation stemming from his violent conduct during the Hama massacre. His history of war crimes and the subsequent legal actions against him amplify the complexities of accountability within the context of Syrian political history. The implications of his flight to Dubai amid these events underscore ongoing challenges in addressing human rights violations in Syria.
In conclusion, Rifaat al-Assad’s flight to Dubai highlights ongoing dynamics within the Assad family following Bashar’s removal from power. Despite facing serious allegations and an impending trial for war crimes, no immediate efforts for his arrest have been initiated. As political tensions persist in Syria and its surrounding regions, the actions of former officials serve as reminders of the need for justice regarding the extensive human rights abuses committed during the Assad regime.
Original Source: www.france24.com
