"Ill-gotten gains" in Syria
Rifaat al-Assad
Why ill-gotten gains in Syria?
In 1970, Hafez al-Assad took power in Syria in a coup and held it until his death in 2000. His son Bashar al-Assad succeeded him, maintaining the authoritarian regime based on a system combining corruption and nepotism. This system, as it exists, would have allowed the enrichment of many executives of the regime, including the uncle of Bashar al-Assad, Rifaat al-Assad.
Vice-president “in exile” of Syria from 1984 to 1998, Rifaat al-Assad was one of the central figures of the Assad clan. He was also the head of the Defense Brigades, elite forces that were allegedly involved in the bloody massacre in Hamah in 1982, whose number of victims was estimated by Amnesty International between 10,000 and 25,000. These facts are the subject of a war crime investigation in Switzerland, and could directly implicate Rifaat al-Assad.
Fallen from grace in 1984 after an aborted coup, Rifaat al-Assad, who nevertheless kept his title during his “exile”, found refuge in France where he was awarded the highest decoration of merit in 1986 (which he finally returned in 2022). During these years, the vice-president built up a sumptuous patrimony in France, which included real estate in Paris and Lyon, as well as a property in the Val-d’Oise.
Sherpa recalls that any person accused or prosecuted by a national or international jurisdiction is presumed innocent until found guilty by a final court decision. In this respect, an appealable decision does not constitute a final decision.
Timeline
Complaint filed
Filing of a complaint with Transparency International France targeting the movable and immovable property held in France by Riffat al-Assad and some twenty people. The complaint was dismissed.
Complaint filed
Sherpa and Transparency International France filed a second complaint against Rifaat al-Assad for concealment of stolen assets, corruption and aggravated money-laundering by organised group.
Preliminary investigation launched
Following the complaint filed by Sherpa and Transparency International France.
Complaint filed
A complaint accompanied by criminal indemnification is filed by Sherpa against Rifaat Al Assad.
Preliminary investigation launched
Following the different complaints.
Rifaat al-Assad is indicted
His assets in France, estimated at 600 million euros in France, are confiscated.