Rifaat al-Assad Flees to Dubai Amid War Crime Allegations

Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has departed to Dubai amid war crime allegations in Switzerland related to the 1982 Hama massacre. Officials have noted the absence of Interpol arrest requests, raising questions about accountability for his actions during the violent crackdowns. The familial ties and controversial history continue to influence perceptions of justice in Syria and its diaspora.

Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly fled to Dubai via Lebanon, as confirmed by Lebanese officials. Known for his notorious role during the 1982 Hama uprising, where he led a brutal crackdown resulting in over 10,000 deaths, he faces war crime allegations in Switzerland. Despite these accusations, there have been no Interpol requests for his arrest following his departure from Beirut. The UAE foreign ministry has not yet commented on this matter.

Lebanese security officials noted that several members of the Assad family have moved to Dubai since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8. While it remains uncertain whether Rifaat and his family intend to remain in Dubai or move elsewhere, the officials stated that authorities have not received arrest requests for him or any other family members. Rifaat, aged in his late 80s, was previously a vice president and a key figure in the violent government response to dissent.

Switzerland’s Attorney General has referred Rifaat al-Assad for trial concerning charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the Hama massacre, asserting that such crimes fall under universal jurisdiction. However, Swiss authorities mentioned that the trial may be postponed due to his deteriorating health. This follows a historical precedent where the Hama assault set the stage for Bashar al-Assad’s later oppressive tactics during the Syrian conflict that erupted in 2011.

Having played a significant role during his brother Hafez al-Assad’s regime, Rifaat’s controversial past includes a conviction in France for misappropriating state funds. He had briefly returned to Syria in 2021. Meanwhile, incidents at Beirut airport involving his family’s attempts to travel with expired and tampered documents have also been reported. Additionally, the possible pursuit of other Syrian officials, including Jamil Hassan, has been indicated by Lebanese authorities in connection with ongoing investigations into their activities under Assad’s regime.

Rifaat al-Assad came into prominence as a key military leader during the Hama massacre in 1982, where government forces suppressed a Muslim Brotherhood-led uprising with extreme violence. This event is one of the deadliest suppressions in Syrian history and has continued to haunt the Assad regime’s legacy. As the regime faced a significant uprising in 2011, the tactics and brutal approaches employed in 1982 were noted as precedents for more recent governmental responses. In light of ongoing legal issues, including war crimes charges in Switzerland, the issue of his escape from Lebanon raises questions about accountability and the broader implications of the Assad family’s influence in the region.

In summary, Rifaat al-Assad’s flight from Lebanon to Dubai underscores the lasting impact of the Assad family’s governance and the historical atrocities committed during their rule. As legal proceedings loom in Switzerland over past war crimes, the lack of immediate action from Interpol and the Lebanese authorities highlights the complexities surrounding accountability for such significant human rights violations. With the dynamics of power shifting in Syria following Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, the legacy of the Assad family remains a critical issue in both regional stability and international legal frameworks.

Original Source: www.france24.com