Rami Makhlouf

Rami Makhlouf
رَامِي مَخْلُوف
PronunciationRāmī Maḫlūf
Born (1969-07-10) 10 July 1969 (age 55)
Damascus, Syria
NationalitySyrian
CitizenshipSyrian,
Cypriot (2010–2011)
OccupationBusinessman
SpouseRazan Othman
ChildrenMohammed Makhlouf
Ali Makhlouf
Parent(s)Mohammed Makhlouf (1932–2020)[1]
Ghada Adib Mhanna
RelativesHafez Makhlouf (brother)
Iyad Makhlouf (brother)
Ihab Makhlouf (brother)
Anisa Makhlouf (aunt)
Bashar al Assad (cousin)
Atef Najib (cousin)

Rami Makhlouf (Arabic: رَامِي مَخْلُوف, romanized: Rāmī Maḫlūf; born 10 July 1969) is a Syrian businessman and a maternal cousin of president Bashar al-Assad.[2][3] At the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, he was considered one of Syria's richest and most powerful men. According to Syrian analysts, he is part of al-Assad's inner circle and no foreign company could do business in Syria at the time without his consent and partnership.[4][5]

In 2016, he was reported to own Syriatel, the largest mobile phone network in Syria, along with other retail, banking and real estate companies.[6] Makhlouf had a falling out with al-Assad in the spring of 2020[7] and was placed under house arrest,[8] resulting in the arrest of many of his aides, along with the targeting of his companies by security forces.[9][10][11] He was stripped of his shares in Syriatel, and the consortium he had established as the biggest investment vehicle in Syria was also taken off line.[12] Makhlouf's remaining assets in Syria are considered to be insignificant compared to the billions he has transferred abroad on behalf of Bashar al-Assad.[13][14]

  1. ^ "Coronavirus kills businessman uncle of Syria's Assad". Arab News. 12 September 2020.
  2. ^ USTreasury. "Rami Makhluf Designated for Benefiting from Syrian Corruption". US Treasury Department. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Council Implementing Decision 2011/302/CFSP of 23 May 2011". Official Journal of the European Union. L136/91. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Who's who in Syria's leadership", BBC News, 3 March 2005. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  5. ^ ‘Day of Rage’ for Syrians Fails to Draw Protesters, The New York Times, 4 February 2011
  6. ^ Garside, Juliette; Pegg, David (5 April 2016). "Mossack Fonseca serviced Assad cousin's firms despite Syria corruption fears". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Chulov, Martin (26 May 2021). "'Mob boss' Assad's dynasty tightens grip over husk of Syria". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  13. ^ Paskin, Doron (16 May 2020). "How Asma Assad transformed from 'Desert Rose' into Syria's 'Iron Lady'". CTECH. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  14. ^ Moskowitz, Eli (28 July 2020). "Assad's Cousin Says Offshore Companies Helped Regime Evade Sanctions". www.occrp.org. Retrieved 17 January 2022.