Assad’s British wife ‘seeking divorce’ as she ‘wants to move to back London’

Asma al-Assad, the British wife of ousted Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad, has filed for divorce, it’s been reported.

The 49-year-old former first lady, currently in exile in Moscow with her husband, reportedly wishes to relocate to London.

She is said to be discontented with her life under the watchful eye of Putin’s regime in Russia.

According to The Jerusalem Post, which cites Turkish and Arab media reports, she has petitioned a Russian court for permission to depart Russia for Britain.

Born in London in 1975 to Syrian parents, Asma al-Assad holds dual British-Syrian citizenship.

She completed computer science and French literature degrees at King’s College London before pursuing a career in investment banking.

Asma married Bashar al-Assad in December 2000, and the couple has three children: Hafez, Zein, and Karim.

She has reportedly sought political asylum in London for herself and her children ever since the Syrian uprising began.

Dr Nesrin Alrefaai, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), told BBC News that Asma “holds a British passport, so could return to the UK” instead of remaining in Russia.

“However, the USA [has] imposed sanctions on her father, Dr Fawaz al-Akhras, who is also reported to be in Russia,” she said.

In a report by the Mail Online, neighbours were quoted as saying Asma’s father, a cardiologist, and mother, Sahar, a retired diplomat, wanted to be in Moscow to “console” their daughter and son-in-law.

Russian authorities are reported to have imposed severe restrictions on the Assad family, preventing them from leaving Moscow and engaging in any political activities.

The Kremlin has also reportedly frozen the family’s assets and money, which include 270 kilograms of gold, US$2 billion, and 18 apartments in Moscow.