ISTANBUL:Â Turkish media reports suggest Asma al-Assad, wife of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, filed for divorce in a Russian court. Allegedly unhappy with her life in Moscow, Asma seeks to relocate to Britain, where she was born and educated.
Two weeks ago, Bashar al-Assad fled Syria with his family after opposition forces gained control of Damascus. Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.
Asma’s Plan to Return
Reports claim Asma wishes to live with her mother in Britain. She holds British citizenship, having been born into a Syrian-origin family in London. Her father was a cardiologist, and her mother served as First Secretary at the Syrian Embassy in London.
Asma Al-Assad’s Journey from Banker to Syrian First Lady
Asma, a graduate in computing from King’s College London, started her career as a banker in the UK, where she met Bashar. The couple married in 2000 after Bashar assumed Syria’s presidency following his father Hafez al-Assad’s death. They have two sons and a daughter.
Health Concerns Drive Asma’s Desire to Relocate
In 2018, Syria’s presidential office revealed Asma had been diagnosed with leukemia. Sources claim the lack of adequate medical care in Moscow is a key reason she wants to move to London.
Reports indicate Asma plans to divorce Bashar to facilitate her return to Britain. Experts suggest this move is partly aimed at overcoming legal and social challenges related to her past association with her husband’s regime.
British legal experts consulted by Asma’s mother reportedly advised that her return would face hurdles due to corruption and embezzlement allegations. These allegations stem from her tenure as Syria’s First Lady, where her wealth reportedly increased substantially.
Turkish media describes Asma as determined to start a new chapter in her life, portraying her as ready to “play all her cards.”
Amid controversies and legal hurdles, her journey reflects the complex legacy of being associated with a once-powerful regime.
