Assad’s tycoon cousin lashes out at security forces

AMMAN: Sanctions-hit Syrian tycoon Rami Makhlouf said on Sunday that security forces were arresting employees at his companies “in an inhumane way” amid pressure on him to step down from his business empire and pay millions of dollars in tax.

Mr Makhlouf, a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad and widely considered part of the president’s inner circle, has a business empire that ranges from telecoms and real estate to construction and oil trading. He played a big role in financing Mr Assad’s war effort, Western officials have said.

“Today pressures began in an unacceptable ways and the security forces, in an inhumane way, are arresting our employees,” Mr Makhlouf said in a video in an unprecedented attack on the powerful security forces by one of the country’s most influential figures.

“Mr President [Assad], the security forces have started attacking people’s freedoms. These are your loyal supporters ... The situation is dangerous and by God, if we continue, the situation of the country will be very difficult,” Mr Makhlouf said.

The security forces did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Mr Makhlouf said in the video he had been asked to step down from his companies, including Syriatel, the main mobile operator and main source of revenue for the sanctions-hit government.

People walk past the looted premises of cellphone company Syriatel, owned by Rami Makhlouf, the cousin of President Bashar al-Assad, in Deraa, Syria.

“I have been asked today to step down from my companies and take instructions while I close my eyes. Authority is not given to put pressure on people to give in,” he said.

“Did anyone expect the security forces would pounce on Rami Makhlouf’s companies who were their biggest supporters and their patron during the war?”

He said he would not bow to pressure to hand over his wealth.

The billionaire has been under US sanctions since 2008 for what Washington calls public corruption and it has since toughened measures against top businessmen who are close to him.

The European Union has also slapped sanctions on Mr Makhlouf since the Syrian conflict began in 2011, accusing him of bankrolling Mr Assad.

Mr Makhlouf became a hated figure to many pro-democracy protesters who rose up against corruption and the authoritarian rule of Mr Assad in March 2011.

Mr Makhlouf owes his fortune to Mr Assad.

He is viewed by many Syrian businessmen and others as a front man for the president and other members of the ruling family.