In brief
Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, stated that accusations concerning the separation of the Assads are unfounded, denying reports indicating that the couple is living under constraint in Moscow. Asma al-Assad, a UK-born dual national, has garnered attention in the west due to her background and controversial role during Syria's civil conflicts.
The article text:In response to swirling rumors, the Kremlin has firmly denied claims that Asma al-Assad, the wife of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is seeking a divorce. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, addressed the speculation during a news conference, stating, "No, they do not correspond to reality." The chatter emerged from Turkish media outlets that suggested Asma al-Assad was planning to end her marriage and permanently relocate back to the UK. Reports indicated that the Assads are allegedly living under tight restrictions in Moscow, where they were granted asylum following the collapse of the Assad regime due to a rebel takeover in Damascus.Peskov's denial also touched on other claims, including assertions that President Assad had been confined to Russia and that his financial assets had been blocked. Historically, Russia has been a committed ally of the Assad regime, providing crucial military backing during the devastating civil war that has ravaged Syria for over a decade.Despite her dual Syrian-British nationality, speculation continues over her ability to return to the UK. This concern was echoed by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who confirmed in recent statements that Asma al-Assad is under sanctions and would not be welcomed back in Britain, reinforcing his commitment to ensure that no Assad family members would be allowed to reside in the country.Further complicating matters, a recent statement attributed to Bashar al-Assad dismissed any notions of fleeing Syria, insisting that he was airlifted from a Russian military base solely at Moscow's request. Asma al-Assad, born in Britain in 1975, relocated to Syria in 2000 and married Bashar al-Assad soon after he ascended the presidency. Her public persona shifted dramatically from that of the intriguing first lady, celebrated in a now-removed Vogue article, to a figure facing intense scrutiny as her husband's regime harshly clamped down on pro-democracy movements during the Syrian civil war, now responsible for nearly half a million deaths.At various points throughout her time as first lady, she has faced backlash for her silence amidst the violent repression exercised by her husband. In 2016, she made headlines by turning down a safe passage offer out of Syria to support Bashar, further cementing her role within the regime. Additionally, Asma has battled health issues, having publicly revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 and later disclosing her leukaemia diagnosis in May of this year, leading her to temporarily step back from public duties.
