Asma al-Assad files for divorce and seeks to escape to London
- Asma al-Assad is currently exiled in Moscow with her husband under significant restrictions.
- She has applied to a Russian court for permission to move to London as she is dissatisfied with life in Russia.
- Her reported divorce filing indicates her desire for independence and a possible return to the UK.
In Russia, Asma al-Assad, the British wife of the deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has been living in exile with her family following the fall of her husband's regime. Reports indicate that she is unhappy in Moscow under the control of the Putin regime and desires to return to the UK. According to Turkish and Arab media, she has filed for divorce and is seeking permission to leave Russia. Her application is currently under consideration by Russian authorities, who have implemented severe restrictions on her husband's political and personal activities within the country. The Assad family fled Syria amidst an escalating conflict, receiving asylum from Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 8. Since relocating to Moscow, the family has faced multiple limitations, including a reported freeze on their significant assets. Bashar al-Assad is believed to have brought an estimated 270 kilograms of gold and £1.6 billion when he escaped but now faces severe constraints on his movements and activities. Asma, who was born and raised in London, is reported to be undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia, a serious form of cancer. There are suggestions that she would prefer to receive her medical care in the UK, illustrating her desire to return to her homeland beyond personal circumstances. The couple's three children are also part of this complex family dynamic, and while they have ties to Russian education due to their father’s connections, the family’s future remains uncertain. The Kremlin has rejected rumors of confinement and has not issued any official comments on the divorce proceedings. The lack of transparency from the Russian government raises questions about the future for Asma, Bashar, and their family, particularly as tensions surrounding their status in Russia continue to evolve. Asma al-Assad’s quest for a new beginning in London could signify a dramatic shift away from her current life, accentuating the uncertainties faced by the entire Assad family in light of recent developments.