Russia unlikely to freeze Assad’s assets, experts say

 

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Iain Willis, Director of Research at the business intelligence consultancy Alaco, said the total value of assets available to the Assad regime is estimated at $1 billion.

As the conflict in Syria enters a critical phase and Western countries ramp up sanctions against the Assad regime, experts tell Al Arabiya it is unlikely that Russia will freeze assets connected to President Assad but that as the endgame approaches, regime allies could be more willing to cooperate with the international community.

In an interview with Al Arabiya in London, Iain Willis, Director of Research at business intelligence consultancy Alaco, said that Russia would be ‘the number one’ place to look for Syrian regime assets.

“Places such as Russia which have not imposed asset freezing measures would be a first place to look because that money is liquid and movable,” Willis said. “Other places like Switzerland, Dubai, and Lebanon are imposing more restrictions on Syrian linked asses so those become less appealing for the Assad family.”

Willis said Assad and his inner circle would be seeking to maintain a liquid asset base in places they can access easily, such as Russia. 

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