Syria's Notorious 'Butcher of Hama', Rifaat al-Assad, Dies at 88. A Life Marked by Brutality and Exile.
Rifaat al-Assad, the infamous brother of late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, has passed away at the age of 88 in the United Arab Emirates. His death marks the end of a life shrouded in controversy and brutality, which earned him the nickname "butcher of Hama" for his role in crushing an Islamist uprising in the city in 1982.
Born into the Assad family's minority Alawite community, Rifaat rose to prominence after the 1970 coup that established his brother Hafez as president. He played a key role in crushing the Muslim Brotherhood uprising in Hama, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The assault has been widely condemned and is often cited as a model for how future regimes in Syria would deal with rebellions.
Despite his brutal past, Rifaat never lost his ambition to hold power. He returned to Syria in 2021 after years of exile in France, where he had been living under house arrest due to corruption charges. However, following the ouster of his nephew and former President Bashar al-Assad from power, Rifaat was forced to flee again.
Rifaat's return home was facilitated by his brother Hafez's own children, who allowed him to escape prison in France where he was found guilty of acquiring millions of euros worth of property using funds diverted from the Syrian state. His lawyers have consistently denied any involvement in the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Hama assault.
Rifaat's legacy is one of brutality and corruption, marked by his role in crushing dissent and his efforts to seize power for himself. Despite his passing, it remains to be seen whether justice will finally be served for the victims of his actions, with a Swiss prosecutor's office set to put him on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity in March 2024.
Rifaat al-Assad, the infamous brother of late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, has passed away at the age of 88 in the United Arab Emirates. His death marks the end of a life shrouded in controversy and brutality, which earned him the nickname "butcher of Hama" for his role in crushing an Islamist uprising in the city in 1982.
Born into the Assad family's minority Alawite community, Rifaat rose to prominence after the 1970 coup that established his brother Hafez as president. He played a key role in crushing the Muslim Brotherhood uprising in Hama, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The assault has been widely condemned and is often cited as a model for how future regimes in Syria would deal with rebellions.
Despite his brutal past, Rifaat never lost his ambition to hold power. He returned to Syria in 2021 after years of exile in France, where he had been living under house arrest due to corruption charges. However, following the ouster of his nephew and former President Bashar al-Assad from power, Rifaat was forced to flee again.
Rifaat's return home was facilitated by his brother Hafez's own children, who allowed him to escape prison in France where he was found guilty of acquiring millions of euros worth of property using funds diverted from the Syrian state. His lawyers have consistently denied any involvement in the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Hama assault.
Rifaat's legacy is one of brutality and corruption, marked by his role in crushing dissent and his efforts to seize power for himself. Despite his passing, it remains to be seen whether justice will finally be served for the victims of his actions, with a Swiss prosecutor's office set to put him on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity in March 2024.
. Honestly, it feels like we've come full circle here... the same old story of brutality and power struggles 
. I mean, can you believe someone who was responsible for so much suffering is getting a trial in 2024? Like, what's taking them so long? 
. And let's be real, it's all about the Assad family dynasty and how they get to decide who gets power and who doesn't 
. I'm just waiting for that day when justice is served and the victims of his actions finally get some form of closure 
#JusticeForTheVictims #AssadFamilyDrama #SyriaDeservesBetter
. Guess time will tell if this trial in March 2024 will finally bring some closure to the victims' families 
.
can't believe he managed to escape accountability for that long his legacy is literally one of blood on his hands 
it's crazy how some people think they're above the law just because they have power or connections 
anyway hopefully justice will be served for those who were affected by his brutal actions 
. I mean, 88 years is like ancient history if you ask me. think about it, he's been running around for decades leaving a trail of blood and suffering wherever he went. what did he ever do to deserve such a long life? my opinion is that justice has finally caught up with him 
. those who perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity should face the full weight of the law, no matter how old they get 
. He thought that no matter how brutal he was, he could always escape justice, but ultimately, his actions caught up with him 
. His story serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for those around us 
.
. Just because someone is from a powerful family or holds high office doesn't mean they're above the law 
. There are always checks and balances in place to ensure that those who abuse their power are held accountable 
. As we move forward, let's remember the victims of his actions and strive to create a world where such atrocities never happen again 
I don't really know how he lived with himself after all the things he did 
his legacy is literally the definition of brutal and corrupt 
can't wait to see him go down for those war crimes and crimes against humanity 
what's your fave sportswear brand? 
. Hope justice is served, finally! 
.
also did you know that he was able to escape prison in France due to his own fam allowing him to go free? 
and now all his assets are gonna be seized by Switzerland... guess someone's getting their money back 
but for the thousands of people who lost their lives under his rule, no one's coming back 
.
just can't believe he's finally dead! Like, good riddance, right? 
The guy was responsible for so much suffering and death in Syria... it's crazy that people are still trying to make excuses for his actions. I mean, thousands of civilians died in Hama because of him... it's not like he can just write off 1982 as a bad day at the office 
.
. It's disgusting how corrupt the Assad regime was, both during Hafez's time and now under Bashar. I guess you could say justice has finally been served... but at what cost? So many people lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods because of Rifaat's actions 
. We can't keep letting these war criminals get away with their atrocities... it's time to hold them responsible!