Harsh criticism of Assad from Susan: He brings drug trafficking allegations to the agenda

Syria's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ayman Susan, lashed out at Bashar al-Assad for fleeing Damascus to Russia following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime by armed jihadist groups.

Ayman Susan alleged that Assad "led a drug trafficking network from Syria and was not interested in the Arab initiatives presented to him."

Susan, who previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that he was among those who participated in discussions regarding the items presented by the participating Arab countries at the Amman Consultative Meeting, which paved the way for his country's return to the Arab League.

"HIS MIND AND THOUGHTS WERE ALWAYS 'ME FIRST'"

Explaining that the points raised at the meeting, including the issue of stopping drug trafficking, "passed quietly and without problems," Susan stated that the lack of commitment to stopping drug trafficking stemmed from the uniqueness of Assad's decisions.

Susan said, "We could not talk about these issues with him (Assad); we were having discussions as those who worked without conveying them to him, because we know his mind and thoughts were always 'me first and after me the deluge'."

"HE WAS DEPENDENT ON RUSSIA AND IRAN"

Drawing attention to Assad's attitude regarding Arab initiatives, Susan said, "Although Arab countries brought Syria back into the Arab League last year with the hope of pulling it out of the quagmire it had fallen into and opened a window for Assad, he did not care about these initiatives at all. Assad was dependent on Russia and Iran and did not want anyone else."

"NO ONE COULD SPEAK IN THE REPUBLIC OF FEAR"

When asked why he did not defect from the country despite the Baath regime's human rights violations, Susan said that "most state employees did not agree with the regime's behavior, but in the Republic of Fear, no one could speak, or even breathe."

"ASSAD DEDICATED ALL OF SYRIA'S ENERGY TO COMMITTING CRIMES"

Susan noted that the images from Sednaya Prison, which is alleged to be the regime's "torture center" 30 km from the capital Damascus, were "terrifying."

Susan said, "We were hearing about Sednaya Prison and its ugliness. No one could have even guessed that the level of crime there had reached this level, and what we saw was shocking. The images that emerged were shocking not just for the Syrians who were victims of the regime, but for the whole world, because it is very painful... Assad dedicated all of Syria's energy to committing crimes in order to stay in power."

THE FIRST BLOW HAD COME FROM THE AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW

Syria's Ambassador to Russia, Bashar al-Jaafari, had described the fleeing of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad from Damascus to Russia following the collapse of the 61-year-old Baath regime as "shameful and humiliating."

Bashar al-Jaafari stated, "The fact that the person at the head of this system (Assad) fled in a shameful and humiliating way in the darkness of the night, without feeling any responsibility towards the country, confirms the need for the changes that have been made."

al-Jaafari added, "The collapse of the corrupt system within a few days is proof that it was not popular and did not receive support, both in society and among the army."

Stating that he supports the regime change, al-Jaafari noted that Syria has "finally become a true homeland for all Syrians" and called on the people to unite and cooperate to restore security.

al-Jaafari said, “The new era requires hope for a peaceful change that will prevent further harm to Syria and its people, as Syria is a country full of goodness and blessings.”