Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad has allowed his exiled uncle Rifaat to return to Syria, pro-government Al Watan newspaper said on Friday, citing sources.
"Rifaat Al-Assad arrived in Damascus yesterday, in order to prevent his imprisonment in France after a court ruling was issued and after the confiscation of his property and money in Spain as well," it added.A former Syrian vice president who was sent into exile in the 1980s, Assad was living in France, where he was put under investigation for tax fraud and money-laundering.
He was handed a four year jail sentence earlier this year that he was unlikely to serve because of his age but the ruling cleared the way for all his property in France to be seized. His properties in Spain were confiscated before that on the back of a money laundering investigation as well. Rifaat al-Assad is widely held responsible for the suppression of an Islamist uprising in 1982 against then-president Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father. Many thousands were killed.The al-Watan report cited sources as saying that he would play no political or social role.Our Standards:Subscribe for our daily curated newsletter to receive the latest exclusive Reuters coverage delivered to your inbox.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United States to stay in Syria, top Kurdish politician saysA leading Syrian Kurdish politician said on Thursday the United States will stay on in Syria to destroy Islamic State, build infrastructure and remain a player in the search for a political settlement after more than 10 years of civil war.
Read more »
Kurds say United States agreed to stay in SyriaA leading Syrian Kurdish politician said on Thursday the United States will stay on in Syria to destroy Islamic State, build infrastructure and remain a player in the search for a political settlement after more than 10 years of civil war.
Read more »
Biden expected to meet with China’s Xi virtually by year’s endThe news comes after national security adviser Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi met for six hours in Zurich.
Read more »
Kurds say United States agreed to stay in SyriaA leading Syrian Kurdish politician said on Thursday the United States will stay on in Syria to destroy Islamic State, build infrastructure and remain a player in the search for a political settlement after more than 10 years of civil war.
Read more »
United States to stay in Syria, top Kurdish politician saysA leading Syrian Kurdish politician said on Thursday the United States will stay on in Syria to destroy Islamic State, build infrastructure and remain a player in the search for a political settlement after more than 10 years of civil war.
Read more »
Pfizer Asks US To Allow COVID Shots For Kids Ages 5 To 11Pfizer is asking the U.S. government to allow use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11.
Read more »