Assad’s Wife ‘Desert Rose’ Barred from Returning to UK
Asma al-Assad, the wife of deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, has been effectively barred from returning to the UK as her passport has expired. Asma, 49, who was born in London, and her husband are currently living in exile in Moscow, Russia, after fleeing the collapse of Syria. Reports indicate that Asma is seeking to return to the UK for medical treatment, as she is reportedly suffering from leukaemia with a 50/50 chance of survival. However, she will not be able to do so without a valid British passport, which expired in September 2020.
Asma’s Exile in Russia and Desire to Return to the UK
Asma and Bashar al-Assad sought refuge in Russia after Assad’s regime was overthrown by rampaging rebels in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin, a friend of the family, offered them sanctuary as they escaped the turmoil in the Middle East. Despite their exile, reports suggest that Asma is dissatisfied with life in Moscow under Putin’s rule and desires to return to the UK for medical treatment and potentially seek a divorce from Bashar.
Challenges and Controversy Surrounding Asma’s Return
While Asma’s father, Fawaz Akhras, a cardiologist, has reportedly moved to Moscow to care for his daughter full-time, Asma’s attempts to renew her British passport have been unsuccessful. The UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, is said to have denied her entry on grounds of ill health. Calls have been made to strip Asma of her UK citizenship due to her alleged involvement in her husband’s oppressive regime, which has been accused of war crimes, torture, and other atrocities.
Asma’s Journey from ‘Desert Rose’ to ‘First Lady of Hell’
Asma al-Assad, once known as the ‘Desert Rose’ for her elegance and charm, has now been labeled the ‘First Lady of Hell’ for her role in supporting Assad’s brutal regime. Born in London in 1975, she met Bashar al-Assad in the early 90s and married him in 2000. As the first lady of Syria, Asma was initially seen as a symbol of freedom and empowerment but later became associated with oppression and luxury while the Syrian people suffered under her husband’s rule. Now, facing health challenges and political controversy, Asma’s future remains uncertain as she navigates life in exile and seeks to return to her birthplace in the UK.