Bashar al-Assad’s critically ill wife will not be allowed to return to the UK for cancer treatment after her British passport expired, according to reports.
The 49-year-old, born in London to Syrian parents, served as Syria’s First Lady until her husband was overthrown last month.
Ms. al-Assad, who was treated for breast cancer in Damascus in 2019, has now been diagnosed with leukemia. However, according to the Sunday Times, it remains unclear where she could receive treatment.
The family had previously been welcomed to Russia by Vladimir Putin.
Fawaz Akhras, Ms al-Assad’s father, has left London to care for her in Moscow but she has a “50-50” chance of survival, according to the Times.
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Arabic and Turkish media have both previously claimed that she is not enjoying her life in the Russian capital and is now seeking a divorce to allow her to flee. The Kremlin has rubbished these suggestions, with Putin ally Dmitry Peskov saying the two remain an item.
Unable to return to Syria, she is also no longer able to receive cancer treatment in the UK after her passport expired in 2020 – although it’s unclear if she allowed this or if ministers stepped in to prevent her return. She has been under an asset freeze and travel ban since sanctions were imposed on the couple in 2012.
Foreign secretary David Lammy previously said: “[She is] not welcome here.”
Home secretary Yvette Cooper is also understood to be opposed to her return under the guise of ill health with Labour welcoming the end to the Assad regime.
Sir Keir Starmer tweeted after the fall of Damascus: “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure.
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“Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.”
Ms al-Assad has stood by her husband throughout the country’s civil war, which began in 2011, and has played a key role behind the scenes.
The couple have three children Hafez, 23, Zein, 21, and Karim, 19.
Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, told the Times: “The government must explain its approach to dealing with the Assad family and the vile crimes they are responsible for.
“While they may currently be in Russia, should any of their circumstances change this government must be ready to act.”
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