UK decision on Asma al-Assad

UK Prime Minister's Office sources stated that Asma al-Assad, the British-citizen wife of Syria's former leader Bashar al-Assad—who has taken refuge in Russia—is an individual subject to travel sanctions and cannot enter the UK.

Reports in the British media noted that Asma al-Assad is undergoing cancer treatment and has a 50 percent chance of survival.

While it has been alleged that al-Assad intends to divorce his wife and that she wishes to return to the UK for treatment, it has been claimed that her father, Fawaz Akhras, who has a private clinic in London, has traveled from the UK to Russia to support his daughter.

UK Prime Minister's Office sources stated that Asma al-Assad, who wishes to continue her cancer treatment in the UK, will not be able to return to the country where she was born and of which she is a citizen.

Prime Minister's Office sources announced that Asma al-Assad, who did not renew her British passport that expired in 2020, does not possess any travel documents.

The i Paper newspaper also reminded that Asma al-Assad, whose passport has expired, is also subject to sanctions such as travel restrictions and the freezing of assets.

Speaking to the newspaper, prime ministerial sources stated that it is not possible for al-Assad to enter the UK due to the sanctions in place.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has the authority to revoke citizenship in the country, had previously announced that Asma al-Assad would not be granted permission to enter the country.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in a statement to the House of Commons on December 9, said regarding the possibility of al-Assad returning to the UK: "She is a sanctioned individual and would not be welcome here."

News Source: AA