London's Metropolitan Police opens preliminary investigation into possible war crimes by Asma al-Assad, UK-born wife of Syria's leader Bashar al Assad.
Wife Of Syria s Assad Faces War Crimes Probe In UK
Law firm seeks prosecution of Asma al Assad, a dual Syrian British national, for inciting, encouraging acts of terrorism. Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, is facing possible prosecution for crimes against humanity by inciting and encouraging acts of terrorism against the people of Syria.
Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers, a human rights law firm, submitted a confidential filing to the War Crimes Unit of the Metropolitan Police Service Counter-Terrorism Command on Saturday to open an investigation against Assad, who is a dual Syrian-British national. The legal team at Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers has been investigating this matter for a number of months and has submitted two confidential filings with the War Crimes Unit, the firm said in a statement.
Two UN commissions have concluded the regime has repeatedly deployed chemical weapons against civilians.
The Guardian understands the Met’s war crimes unit began its inquiries into Asma al-Assad earlier this year and is determining if there is enough evidence to launch a full investigation.
Already targeted by UK, US and EU financial sanctions, the former New York investment banker and daughter of a Harley Street cardiologist could be stripped of her British citizenship and subjected to an international arrest warrant if the investigation proceeds.
A King’s College graduate in French literature and computer science, Assad was for years the glamorous face of a regime that claimed to be modernising Syria after decades of repressive rule.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma in Damascus in 2012 (SANA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Metropolitan Police has opened a preliminary investigation into Asma al-Assad, the wife of the Syrian president, over allegations of incitement and encouragement to commit acts of terrorism.
London-based Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers submitted a filing with the war crimes unit of the Met’s counterterrorism command, which is now assessing the details of the referral to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to warrant further investigation.
The dual British-Syrian national was born and raised in London and worked in investment banking before marrying Mr Assad shortly after he became president.