Asma al-Assad, Syria’s London-born former first lady, has fled to Moscow with her husband, Bashar al-Assad, and their three children after rebels ousted the Syrian leader from power. Despite holding British citizenship, UK officials have declared that Asma is no longer welcome in the country, with Foreign Minister David Lammy hinting at potential sanctions.
“I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” Lammy said during a parliamentary session on Monday.
The 49-year-old former first lady, previously celebrated for her advocacy of women’s rights and modernizing image, has faced growing criticism over her silence during Syria’s civil war and accusations of war profiteering. Her UK assets were frozen in 2012 as part of a European sanctions program.
Born to Syrian parents in London, Asma was educated at Queen’s College and King’s College London before working in finance. She married Bashar al-Assad in 2000, months after he succeeded his father as Syrian president. Once dubbed the “Desert Rose” by Vogue for her elegance and charm, her reputation has since been tarnished, with detractors labeling her a “predator in chief.”
The Syrian presidency revealed earlier this year that Asma is battling leukemia, adding to the challenges faced by the Assad family, who have reportedly sought refuge in Russia. While the Kremlin has not confirmed their presence, reports indicate that her parents have joined them in Moscow.
As UK officials weigh the possibility of revoking her citizenship, Asma al-Assad’s transformation from a celebrated global figure to an exiled, controversial figure continues to draw global attention.
