Assad Airlifts $250M to Russia Before Ouster

Disgraced Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reportedly funneled a quarter of a billion dollars in cash to Russia just years before his regime collapsed. According to records uncovered by the Financial Times, Assad’s government flew two tonnes of banknotes into Moscow between 2018 and 2019 via 21 covert flights. The funds were deposited in Russian banks, bolstering speculation about the Assad family’s contingency plans as the regime faced mounting pressure during the Syrian civil war.
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Assad, whose power relied heavily on Russia’s military intervention, fled Damascus earlier this month following his ouster by rebels led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. In his first public statement since his removal, Assad claimed he intended to keep fighting until Russia intervened to evacuate him. Now exiled in Moscow, Assad and his family are believed to hold significant real estate assets in Russia, where other deposed leaders like Viktor Yanukovych have found refuge.

The revelations of cash transfers add to accusations that Assad looted Syria’s wealth to sustain his brutal rule. Critics say the funds financed war crimes and atrocities, including alleged human rights violations that occurred under his regime. Calls for justice are mounting as Syria enters an uncertain future.

Legal experts, including former Special Court for Sierra Leone prosecutor David Crane, argue that holding Assad accountable will be a critical step for Syria. “The challenge lies in establishing a credible mechanism for accountability,” Crane wrote, emphasizing the need to address the grievances of the Syrian people while upholding international justice standards.
While Assad’s exile shields him from immediate consequences, his legacy, and the cash trail, may continue to haunt him.