In brief
Contrary to reports, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assures that Asma al-Assad's marital status remains unchanged amid speculation about her living situation in Russia.
In a recent statement, the Kremlin has denied claims circulating in Turkish media that Asma al-Assad, the wife of deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is seeking a divorce. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that these rumors do not reflect the truth during a news conference. Speculations arose after reports suggested that Asma al-Assad desired to leave her husband and return to the UK, where she holds citizenship as a dual Syrian-British national. Following the overthrow of her husband's regime, the Assads took refuge in Russia, a longtime ally of the Assad administration that provided military support during the Syrian civil war.Peskov also dismissed allegations indicating that Bashar al-Assad is under house arrest in Moscow and that his assets have been frozen. Despite their asylum status, reports pointed to the couple facing limited freedom in the Russian capital. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had previously noted that Asma al-Assad would not be permitted to return to the UK due to sanctions imposed on her. Speaking in Parliament, he expressed determination to prevent any member of the Assad family from finding refuge in Britain. Asma al-Assad, 49, born in the UK to Syrian parents, moved to Syria in 2000 and became first lady after marrying Bashar al-Assad shortly after he took office. Over her 24 years in this role, she has been a target of intense media scrutiny, particularly during the early years of the Syrian civil war, where she faced backlash for remaining silent amid the regime's violent suppression of protests.Her public image has been marred by various controversies. Notably, a Vogue profile in 2011 dubbed her "a rose in the desert," a narrative that disappeared from the publication following the outbreak of violence in Syria. In the past, Asma al-Assad publicly expressed her commitment to her husband, refusing offers for safe passage out of Syria during the conflict. She has recently battled health issues, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 and a reported leukemia diagnosis announced earlier this year, which led her to step back from public engagements temporarily.
