ISSUE NO. 1657
6 - 12 April 2017
COSTA DEL SOL
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Assets seized
Family of Syrian leader implicated in surprise sting By John Smith and Matt Ford A major money-laundering investigation has been launched on the Costa del Sol after properties and businesses belonging to the uncle of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad were raided by Spanish police. Around 30 Guardia Civil officers descended on the opulent Gray d’Albion building, informally known as the ‘Syrian Palace’ in Puerto Banus, of which Rifaat al-Assad owns several floors. The 78-year-old was banished from his home country in 1984 by his brother Hafez alAssad, then-president and father of the incumbent leader, who feared a coup against him. In addition to the luxury apartment building police swooped on 14 other properties owned by al-Assad, including the Park Banus hotel, the Benabola apartment complex, an underground car park and the 33 million square metre La Maquina estate in Benahavis. Bank accounts of 16 individuals and 76 companies associated with him have been
GUARDIA CIVIL: At the raid on the opulent Gray d’Albion building. frozen, while officers seized piles of documents plus jewellery, antiques, tapestries and a number of vehicles including an armoured Hummer, an Infinity and two Mercedes. Although there have been no arrests so far, those under investigation are said to include
two of al-Assad’s wives, six of his children, several in-laws and a Spanish business administrator. He was vice-president of Syria before his expulsion, overseeing the 1982 Hama massacre during which the Turn to page 4