Is Bashar Al-Assad’s British wife, Asma, planning to divorce him and return to the UK? Here's what reports are saying

Reports that Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife was attempting to get a divorce and move back to Britain have been denied by the Kremlin. Russia also refuted reports that Russian authorities had frozen the assets of the ousted Syrian leader and his wife, Asma al-Assad, and imprisoned them in Moscow.

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, responded that they do not correspond to reality when asked if the reports were accurate, as quoted in a report by The Telegraph.

The former Syrian first lady filed for divorce in Russia, where the Assad family was granted asylum this month after being overthrown by rebel forces after 24 years in power, according to reports in Turkish and Arabic media on Sunday.


Mrs. Assad was raised in Acton, West London, and was born to Syrian parents. She married her spouse and had three children with him after relocating to Syria in 2000.

According to the reports, she expressed dissatisfaction with her new life in Moscow and wanted a divorce. She also stated that she hoped to return to London for cancer treatment.

It was disclosed in May that she had received a leukaemia diagnosis after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2018 and 2019.

UK passport

Although Mrs. Assad is still a British citizen, Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated earlier this month that she was no longer welcome in the nation, suggesting that she might soon lose her UK passport.

She had her UK assets frozen in March 2012 amid growing protests against her husband's rule, as part of an EU sanctions programme maintained by British governments since Brexit.

FAQs

Is Asma al-Assad divorcing Bashar al-Assad and moving back to the UK?
No, the Kremlin has denied reports that Asma al-Assad is seeking a divorce or intends to return to the UK.

Does Asma al-Assad still have UK citizenship?
Asma al-Assad retains British citizenship but is under legal scrutiny, sanctions, and calls for revocation due to alleged involvement in war crimes.