Syrian First Lady Facing Trial in UK for Encouraging Terrorist Act

Syrian First Lady Facing Trial in UK for Encouraging Terrorist Act

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Syria’s first lady, Asma Assad, 45, could lose her British citizenship and could face charges in the UK for being an “influential actor” in inciting and encouraging acts of terrorism, Sky News reported on Saturday.

The allegations were directed at the wife of the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, leading to an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Sky News noted that if the “desert rose” of the Middle East – as it was called – is accused, the United Kingdom may request its extradition to stand trial. According to the report, Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers accuses her of being among a series of “influential actors” who encouraged and incited acts of terrorism and international crimes.
This month of March marks an entire decade since the start of the civil war in Syria. The death toll today is estimated at around 500,000 people, with more than 6.5 million homeless.

“This is an important step in holding senior political officials accountable for their actions,” the legal team behind the accusations told Sky News, emphasizing the importance of not only extradition, but the judicial process. “This is an important process and it is only fair that justice is done before an English court.”

Asma Assad – born as Emma Akhras – was born in a London suburb and worked as an investment banker for JPMorgan in the 1990s, when she met her future husband, Bashar.

The presidential couple tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, after showing minor symptoms, and are apparently feeling well.

“We recognize that it would be politically convenient to simply withdraw citizenship from the First Lady,” added the legal team. “This will not serve the interests of hundreds of thousands of civilian victims of the 10-year conflict.”

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