Rusia Refutes Rumors of Asma Al-Assad’s Divorce and Departure
Jakarta – Russia has dismissed reports suggesting that the wife of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, divorce from Bashar al-Assad …”>Asma al-Assad, is planning to file for divorce and leave Russia. Russia maintains that these rumors do not align with reality.
Initial media reports indicated that Asma al-Assad, who was born in the UK, intended to seek a divorce and depart from Russia. It was alleged that she had expressed her dissatisfaction with her life in Moscow and wished to relocate to London. However, Russia has since denied these claims, stating they are not factual.
"Absolutely not, that is not true," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to journalists in Moscow on Wednesday, as reported by BBC and Anadolu Agency (25/12/2024).
Assad, who governed Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus, effectively ending the Baath Party‘s 61-year rule, which had been in power since 1963.
Rusia also refuted claims that Assad was being detained in Moscow and that his assets have been frozen.
Russia, a staunch ally of the Assad regime, provided military support throughout the Syrian civil war.
Asma al-Assad, a dual Syrian-British citizen, reportedly faced resistance from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy regarding her possible return to the UK. Lammy stated that she is a sanctioned individual and would not be welcome in the UK.
"I want to ensure that she is considered a sanctioned individual, not welcome in the UK," Lammy said while addressing parliament earlier this month.
He further elucidated that he would do "everything in his power" to prevent any member of the Assad family from finding refuge in the UK.
Asma al-Assad, now 49, was born in the UK to Syrian parents in 1975 and was raised in Acton, west London. She moved to Syria in 2000 at the age of 25 and married her husband just months after he succeeded his father as president.
During her 24 years as First Lady of Syria, Mrs. Assad garnered significant attention from Western media outlets.
