Syria's toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad accused of airlifting £200million of his country's cash to Moscow while depending on Russia for military aid
Share:
Toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad airlifted around £200 million in cash to Moscow in a two-year period when Syria was dependent on Russia for support. The Financial Times has uncovered records showing that Assad's regime flew two tonnes of banknotes into Vnukovo airport in Moscow to be deposited at Russian banks between 2018 and 2019.
![[A Russian soldier rides on an infantry fighting vehicle in Latakia, on the coast of Syria]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93176501-14195703-image-a-39_1734302100851.jpg)
The shipments came at a time when Syria was dependant on Russia's military support, including mercenaries from the Wagner group. At the same time Assad's family began buying hoards of luxury properties in Moscow, the FT reported. Assad's regime has been accused of looting Syria's wealth and turning to criminal activity to finance the war against its own people.
![[Russian soldiers stand by military pickups as they prepare to evacuate a position in Qamishli in northeastern Syria]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93176505-14195703-image-a-40_1734302144981.jpg)
Assad's regime transported huge shipments of US and euro banknotes into Russia between March 2018 and September 2019. Russian trade records from Import Genius, an export data service, show that on in 2019, a plane carrying $10mn in $100 bills sent on behalf of Assad's central bank landed in Vnukovo airport.
![[A Russian Air Force military attack helicopter at the Russian airbase at Qamishli Airport in northeastern Syria]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/22/93176503-14195703-image-a-41_1734302162384.jpg)
The central bank then airlifted in around €20mn in €500 notes in February 2019. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Assad during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024. A Russian soldier rides on an infantry fighting vehicle in Latakia, on the coast of Syria.
![[Bahsar al-Assad ruled Syria for 24 years but his regime was toppled earlier this month by rebels]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/92951803-0-Bahsar_al_Assad_ruled_Syria_for_24_years_just_five_short_of_of_h-a-20_1734299648626.jpg)
