The State Department failed to comply with a congressional bill that required the publication of a report documenting the net wealth of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Bashar al-Assad was accused of corruption and war crimes during his presidency [Getty]
The US State Department has not released a report revealing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s net worth, despite being mandated to do so this week.
A law requiring the State Department to submit a report within 120 days outlining Bashar al-Assad’s wealth and net worth was approved by the US Congress in late 2021.
Today was the deadline for @StateDept publish report on Assad’s wealth and corruption in Syria
The State Department hasn’t released anything and hasn’t rescheduled for it.
It looks like the Iran deal is a top priority that the US doesn’t want to piss Iran off about anymore. pic.twitter.com/wQYgWVXhvf—Asaad Sam Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) April 27, 2022
The report aimed to highlight “the estimated net worth and known sources of income of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family members”, according to the bill approved by Congress last year.
The bill stressed that income “from corrupt or illicit activities” earned by Assad and his “wife, children, siblings, and paternal and maternal cousins” should be disclosed.
On social media, dozens of people have called on the State Department to explain why the report has not yet been made available.
Republican Senator Joe Wilson said he was “very disappointed that the @StateDept did not release the report required by law today detailing the wealth and corruption of the brutal Assad family” in a tweet on Tuesday.
Very disappointed that the @StateDept did not release today the report required by law detailing the wealth and corruption of the brutal Assad family.
— Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) April 26, 2022
the New Arabic contacted the US State Department for comment.
Assad and his family control a vast business empire in Syria encompassing various sectors such as telecommunications, energy, banking and tourism.
They have been accused of massive corruption while committing human rights abuses against the Syrian population, around 80% of whom live in poverty.
Forces loyal to the regime have been accused of massacring civilians, killing prisoners, using banned chemical weapons and bombing schools, hospitals, refugee camps and residential areas.
On April 27, The Guardian revealed footage showing the brutal murder of at least 41 detainees who were bound and handcuffed before being shot by a member of the Syrian intelligence services.
