The wife and daughter of Duraid Assad, a cousin of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, were arrested at the Beirut airport for trying to leave Lebanon with forged passports. Their illegal entry and subsequent detention follow the recent indictment of Duraid’s father, Rifaat Assad, for war crimes in connection with historical atrocities.
In a significant development, Lebanese authorities arrested the wife and daughter of Duraid Assad, a cousin of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Beirut airport on charges of attempting to travel with forged passports. Rasha Khazem and her daughter, Shams, were caught trying to fly to Egypt after entering Lebanon illegally. Meanwhile, Duraid’s father, Rifaat Assad, had boarded a flight the previous day using legitimate identification. Lebanese General Security is currently detaining the arrested individuals, while an investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding their illegal entry and failed escape.
The context of this situation lies within the political and social upheaval following Assad’s regime in Syria. Following the recent fall of certain government structures amid insurgent advancements, many Syrians, including relatives of the Assad family, have sought to flee the country. Rifaat Assad, the brother of Bashar Assad’s father and a notorious military figure, was indicted in Switzerland for war crimes related to the Hama massacres, which amplifies the scrutiny on the Assad family.
The arrest of Rasha Khazem and Shams underscores the growing tensions within the Assad family amid their waning power. As Lebanon grapples with the influx of Syrians fleeing Assad’s regime, the legal repercussions for senior Assad family members intensify, particularly regarding Rifaat Assad’s recent indictment for war crimes. This situation illustrates not only a struggle for power but also a deep-seated legacy of violence associated with the Assad regime.
Original Source: apnews.com
