France has prepared all the paperwork needed to return 32 million euros from the assets of Rifaat al-Assad, which were confiscated in France, to Syria legally and to the Syrian government, a French diplomatic source told Enab Baladi.
In remarks to Enab Baladi on 12 February, the source said a “strict, precisely defined” French legal framework governs the return of the funds. Under this framework, the Syrian government must specify which body or sector will receive and invest the money.
Paris is limited to proposing possible areas for investment, but the final decision rests with Damascus, the source added.
Regarding the overall amount, the source said that 32 million euros are currently available, while sales of other assets linked to Rifaat al-Assad are still ongoing.
French proposals have covered several areas, including efforts to address impunity, drawing on ideas raised by Syrian civil society and discussions held with the Syrian government. France also suggested supporting the agriculture sector, if it aligns with Syria’s priorities.
The source said current talks focus on identifying the entity that will receive the money, as French law requires transparency in how such funds are used.
Under France’s Law on Development Programming Based on Solidarity and the Fight Against Global Inequalities, issued on 4 August 2021, France created a mechanism to return “assets acquired through illicit means.”
The mechanism is managed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. It provides for returning proceeds from the sale of “assets acquired through illicit means” that have been definitively confiscated in France, in the form of cooperation and development measures in the countries concerned. The goal is to ensure the benefits reach the population as directly as possible, on a case-by-case basis, to improve living conditions.
In Syria’s case, the confiscation of Rifaat al-Assad’s assets became final under a Court of Cassation ruling issued on 7 September 2022.
Transitional justice
France last week hosted Syrian Deputy Justice Minister Mustafa al-Qassem and Prosecutor General Hassan Youssef al-Turbah, alongside two national committees working on transitional justice.
The French diplomatic source told Enab Baladi that the National Commission for the Missing spoke about opening sites believed to contain mass graves. The source noted that Syria currently lacks the expertise and technology needed for this work and requires support.
Paris presented equipment and technologies it can provide, including drones to help identify human remains, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality to locate remains and determine where crimes were committed. Discussions also reviewed the technologies and equipment available in France.
The source said a French proposal was discussed to direct Rifaat al-Assad’s funds toward training and equipment, including trucks designed as mobile laboratories capable of taking DNA samples. The source described this file as a top priority for families of the missing.
The source stressed the need for the French authorities to a clear, explicit decision on the framework through which the funds will be allocated and used.
Talks between the two sides
Discussions have taken place between the Syrian and French governments on transferring the 32 million euros (37 million dollars) in Rifaat al-Assad’s confiscated assets to Syria.
The National newspaper reported on 7 February, citing a French diplomatic source, that the talks focus on returning money stolen by a corrupt system to the people it was taken from.
The source said the funds will finance development projects agreed with Syrian authorities and will have a direct impact on Syrians.
Deputy Justice Minister Mustafa al-Qassem told the newspaper that the French government says it wants to return the confiscated money to Syria, for use in Syria’s reconstruction, or at least basic infrastructure.
Mohammad al-Abdallah, director of the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, which organized the meeting, said this would be the first time money looted by previous authorities is returned to the Syrian state, describing it as a historic precedent.
A spokesperson for France’s Ministry of Justice said the ministry has so far overseen the sale of Rifaat al-Assad’s assets confiscated by judicial order, valued at 47 million euros. The ministry declined, according to The National, to provide further details on individual sales, citing confidentiality requirements.
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