Asma Al-Assad reportedly files for divorce from ousted Bashar

Asma Al-Assad, the wife of Syria’s ousted president Bashar Al-Assad, reportedly initiated divorce proceedings amid dissatisfaction with her life in Moscow, according to reports from Turkish and Arab media.

The reports indicate that Asma, who holds both British and Syrian citizenship, is seeking to relocate to London.

Asma allegedly submitted a formal request to a Russian court for permission to leave Moscow, where she has been living alongside her husband since his exile. The court’s decision on her application is still pending, as Russian authorities evaluate the request.

Born and raised in London to Syrian parents, Asma Al-Assad moved to Syria in 2000 and married Bashar al-Assad later that year at the age of 25.

Bashar Al-Assad, who sought asylum in Russia after being deposed earlier this month, is reportedly under strict restrictions. While his asylum request was approved, he is forbidden from leaving Moscow or participating in any political activities. Furthermore, Russian authorities have frozen his substantial assets, including 270kg of gold, USD 2 billion in funds, and 18 apartments in Moscow.

Complicating matters further for the Assad family, Bashar’s brother, Maher al-Assad, remains in legal limbo. Reports suggest that Maher’s asylum request is still under review by Russian authorities, and he and his family are currently under house arrest.

Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which was led by the Baath Party, collapsed following a December offensive spearheaded by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).