A former Syrian general, Bassam al-Hassan, who is wanted for crimes against humanity, is reportedly being funded and sheltered by US and Lebanese authorities, according to a BBC News investigation. Al-Hassan, who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons programme and served as a senior adviser to former President Bashar al-Assad, has been residing in Lebanon since the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024.

Background

The investigation, conducted by the BBC in collaboration with NPR, reveals that al-Hassan remains in Lebanon under an arrangement involving the FBI and other US and Lebanese authorities. This arrangement is reportedly due to his willingness to provide information regarding the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice in 2012, as well as other intelligence.

Last month, the BBC disclosed that Tice's abduction was a planned operation, with al-Hassan being part of the chain of command. Officials from two branches of Syria's new government have expressed a desire to have al-Hassan returned to face trial, but US authorities prefer to keep him in Lebanon, leaving Damascus with limited options.

Official Responses

The FBI, CIA, and Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security were approached for comments on these findings. The FBI declined to comment, referring to a previous statement emphasizing its focus on establishing facts surrounding the Tice case and securing his return.

Phil Elwood, a spokesperson for the Tice family, stated:

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"If what you are saying is true, the fact that our tax dollars are being used to furnish a comfortable life for someone associated with the use of chemical weapons on Syrian civilians, who claims to have had Austin Tice executed, is offensive. This is nothing less than aiding and abetting the escape of a wanted war criminal. The Syrians deserve justice and he should be returned to stand trial."