Rifaat al-Assad, known as the “Butcher of Hama,” has fled to Dubai following the recent ousting of his nephew Bashar al-Assad. He faces war crimes charges in Switzerland for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Despite the ongoing legal cases against him, Lebanese authorities have not issued any arrest requests.
Recent reports indicate that Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of the deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has fled to Dubai, having traveled through Lebanon. This is significant as Rifaat, notorious as the “Butcher of Hama” due to his violent suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood in Hama during the 1980s, is currently facing war crimes charges in Switzerland. He is alleged to have directly participated in the brutal crackdown that resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 individuals during the Hama uprising in 1982, a period that continues to have implications in Syria’s political landscape.
Over the past few weeks, numerous members of the Assad family have reportedly moved from Beirut to Dubai, while others remain in Lebanon following Bashar al-Assad’s ousting on December 8. While Lebanese authorities have not received any Interpol requests for the arrest of Rifaat or his family members, questions surrounding their further travel plans remain.
The Swiss Attorney General has advanced Rifaat al-Assad’s case for trial concerning war crimes and crimes against humanity—an action based on the principle that such offenses fall under universal jurisdiction. Despite his denial of responsibility, Swiss authorities indicated that proceedings may be delayed due to the defendant’s health concerns.
Rifaat al-Assad had previously fled Syria after a failed power coup against his brother, Hafez al-Assad, in 1984, and has since resided in various countries, including Switzerland, Spain, and France. Notably, a court in 2020 convicted him of fraud involving state funds to accumulate significant property holdings. It is suggested that the recent movements within the Assad family correlate with the upheaval of the regime that had dominated Syria since the 1970s.
Rifaat al-Assad, as an important historical figure within the Assad dynasty, played critical roles in Syria’s political tapestry. His actions during the 1982 Hama uprising are often cited as a precursor to the oppressive tactics later employed by his nephew Bashar during the Syrian civil conflict commencing in 2011. With allegations of war crimes against him, the international community has been keenly monitoring his status, revealing deeper issues of governance, accountability, and human rights violations in Syria’s past and present political scenarios.
The flight of Rifaat al-Assad to Dubai amid allegations of war crimes underscores the complexities surrounding the Assad family’s legacy and the broader implications of Syria’s turbulent political history. As Swiss judicial authorities continue to pursue legal actions against him, the unfolding events raise critical questions about justice and accountability for those who have committed atrocities in the name of state power.
Original Source: www.france24.com
