Relative of Bashar al-Assad detained in Lebanon in weapons and drugs case
Three people were detained near the Lebanese city of Baalbek, including, according to judicial officials, Suleiman al-Assad, a relative of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The Lebanese army said the detainees had weapons and hashish, while one of them was a Syrian citizen without documents confirming the legality of his stay in the country.
Detention near Baalbek
As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, Suleiman al-Assad and Ali Zeiter were detained on Friday near Baalbek. Two judicial officials told the outlet this on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to comment on the case to the media.
According to Associated Press, Suleiman al-Assad is the son of Hilal al-Assad, a cousin of Bashar al-Assad. Ali Zeiter is the son of Nouh Zeiter, described in the article as a suspected drug trafficker who was detained last year.
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Army statement
The Lebanese army did not disclose the full names of the detainees, providing only the initials of their first and last names. The outlet notes that these initials match those of Suleiman al-Assad and Ali Zeiter.
The military also said that the detainees were questioned under the supervision of judicial authorities. Hashish, the seizure of which was reported by the army, is produced from cannabis; its cultivation is widespread in northeastern Lebanon.
Suleiman al-Assad's detention came several weeks after Lebanon handed over to Syrian authorities a retired major general who had commanded a division in Bashar al-Assad's army. After the end of the Assad family's rule in Syria in December 2024, some Syrian officials and Assad relatives left for other countries, including Lebanon.
