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US and Lebanon protecting wanted Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan, BBC investigation finds
Overview
A joint investigation by BBC News and NPR has revealed that former Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan, who is wanted for crimes against humanity and was linked to the chemical weapons programme and the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice, is being protected and bankrolled by US and Lebanese authorities. Despite being a sanctioned war criminal, Hassan has received residency, protection and financial support in Lebanon in exchange for intelligence on the Tice case and other regime secrets. However, sources question the value of the information provided, noting that a search for Tice's remains based on Hassan's claims yielded nothing.
Key points
- Bassam al-Hassan, a former senior adviser to Bashar al-Assad, is being harboured in Lebanon under an arrangement involving the FBI and other US and Lebanese authorities.
- Hassan reportedly receives financial payments and protection in exchange for intelligence regarding the 2012 abduction of US journalist Austin Tice and Syria's chemical weapons programme.
- Officials from Syria's new government want Hassan returned to face trial, but state that US authorities want him kept in Lebanon.
- Hassan told US investigators that Tice was executed on Assad's orders and provided a location for his remains, but a subsequent search by authorities found nothing.
- Other former Syrian regime officials connected to the Tice case have also reportedly found refuge or financial assistance abroad in Lebanon and the UAE.