With the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s regime, reports say his wife, Asma al-Assad, has filed for a divorce and wants to relocate to the UK. Asma applied in a Russian court to shift to London as she holds dual citizenship in the UK and Syria. The authorities are presently reviewing her request; Asma’s dual nationality could ease her potential relocation to the UK.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the wife of the deposed president, Asma Al Assad, had expressed discontent with her life in Moscow.
Asma’s journey
Asma was born and raised in London; later she moved to Syria in 2000 and married Bashar Al-Assad that same year. She was just 25 at the time.
The Syrian leader sought refuge in Russia after rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized Damascus in early December, ending Assad’s decades-long rule.
Assad’s life in exile
Russia had granted Bashar Al-Assad and his family asylum on humanitarian grounds, but they remain under severe restrictions. Assad is currently not allowed to leave Moscow or participate in any political activity.
Further, the Russian government has frozen Assad’s assets, including 270 kilograms of gold, $2 billion in cash, and 18 apartments in Moscow. Although Russia did not approve the asylum request of Bashar al-Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, which is still being looked at closely for review.
The fall of the regime was smooth and quick, with the HTS forces playing a central role in overthrowing the government.
Watch | Syria After Assad: New Syrian Leadership Faces Major Challenges
Asma’s dual citizenship and plans
Asma’s dual nationality could ease her potential relocation to the UK.
According to the reports, Asma is eager to start a new chapter of her life in London, staying away from her husband’s controversial regime.
(With inputs from agencies)