Is Syrian War Criminal and Brother of Bashar, Maher Al-Assad, Hiding in Serbia?

Maher Al-Assad, Syria’s ousted leader’s brother and accused war criminal, reportedly fled to Serbia, raising questions about Belgrade’s geopolitical stance amid Western scrutiny.

LONDON, United Kingdom (GPC) — Maher Al-Assad, the powerful brother of Syria's ousted dictator Bashar Al-Assad, is reportedly taking refuge in Serbia, according to a senior official from Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The claim, based on what the official described as credible intelligence, underscores growing geopolitical tensions in the region.

"We believe he went via Greece to Serbia," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Gunpowder Chronicles.

The Gunpowder Chronicles has made official inquiries to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the governments and foreign ministries of Lebanon, Greece, and Serbia, but has yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported 20 hours ago, citing their own sources, that Maher Al-Assad and other Syrian officials may actually be taking refuge in Lebanon. These conflicting accounts further complicate the narrative, leaving the international community and watchdogs waiting for verified updates amidst a rapidly evolving geopolitical scenario.

Undated picture shows Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and his wife Anisseh posing for a family picture with his children (L to R) Maher, Bashar, Bassel, who died in a car accident in 1994, Majd and Bushra. ( LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images).