Syria’s National Committee for Combating Illicit Gain has placed the “fixed assets” of several pharmaceutical factories and distribution centers in Damascus and Aleppo governorates under its control, while confirming that investigations are continuing into illicit gain cases involving other factories.
An official source at the committee confirmed to Enab Baladi today, Thursday, July 9, that “only part” of the information circulated Wednesday about the committee’s asset-control measures was accurate, while another part was inaccurate. The source said precautionary seizure orders had been issued against movable and immovable assets belonging to the owners of these factories.
The source denied, however, that the committee had made any statement or provided any information to any media outlet about the names of these factories or warehouses.
He added that statements, names, and facts are issued only after “settlements or files are completed” with the owners of commercial or industrial enterprises proven by investigations to be involved in illicit gain cases.
Committee Says Measures Are “Precautionary”
The official source at the committee said all measures it has taken are “precautionary measures,” and that investigations do not necessarily mean the owners of the production facilities have been convicted of illicit gain. When violations are proven, those responsible can reach a settlement with the committee.
Media outlets and news pages published a list on Wednesday of pharmaceutical factories reportedly placed under the committee’s control in Damascus and Aleppo governorates. The list included “Golden Alpha,” “Avenzor,” “Human,” “Labs of East Mediterranean Pharmaceuticals, LEM Pharma,” “Balsam Pharmaceutical Industries,” “Hama,” “Newland,” “Afamia,” “Qanawati,” “Miamed,” “Domna,” “ProLine Pharma,” “Sphico,” and “al-Raed,” along with other pharmaceutical distribution centers linked to these factories.
The source also denied the accuracy of “some” of what had been circulated about changes in the management of several private universities or their takeover, expecting the committee to issue a statement today clarifying the accuracy of everything circulated.
Information had circulated about the appointment of committee delegates to supervise the management of several private universities after they were taken over. These were al-Qalamoun University, Syrian Private University, al-Sham Private University, al-Rasheed International Private University for Science and Technology, Qasyoun Private University in Daraa (southern Syria), and al-Manara Private University in Latakia (western Syria).
The source explained that all facilities, regardless of type or specialization, whose assets are placed under the committee’s control are transferred to the Syrian Sovereign Fund, but continue operating normally without harming workers’ rights, while their management is handed to representatives of the committee.
New Management for Pharmaceutical Factories
The source said the committee had prepared new management structures for the pharmaceutical factories that were placed under its control before asset-control decisions were issued, assigning top experts in the pharmaceutical industry to oversee medicine production, ensure production lines do not stop, and prevent any worker dismissals while preserving their employment rights.
Working teams from the committee, the Syrian Sovereign Fund, and the Syrian ministries of Interior and Finance entered the buildings and properties of several factories to investigate violations committed inside them, according to the source.
He did not disclose the nature of these violations, but said they were unrelated to medicine manufacturing. Some factories had been confirmed to have committed them, while the rest remain under investigation.
The source renewed his warning against some media outlets and social media platforms publishing or circulating the names of individuals, companies, or institutions as being involved in illicit gain cases with the aim of harming or defaming them. He stressed that asset-control or precautionary seizure orders are not final and that investigations may prove otherwise.
He warned that anyone committing such a violation would be subject to legal accountability under the Cybercrime Law, the Media Law, and other legislation in force.
50 Settlement Requests by May
An official in the committee revealed to Enab Baladi on May 10 that there were 50 settlement requests from figures linked to the former regime.
The official, who declined to be named, said any of these figures who had submitted settlement requests but refused to conclude a settlement under the standards and principles required by the committee would have their file referred to the judiciary by the end of May, noting that the voluntary disclosure deadline ended at the end of the month.
He added that the committee had opened the door for voluntary disclosure by business figures commercially linked to regime circles and its inner core.
The voluntary disclosure program is a temporary opportunity granted by the Syrian state to those who want to open a new chapter in their lives, according to the principles of transitional justice, disavow the dark points in their past, and settle their debt to the Syrian people.
It aims to enable individuals and institutions suspected of illicit gain to voluntarily disclose the reality of their financial situations by submitting data and documents that help assess sources of wealth and correct potential violations.
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