The new investigative film reported that Rifaat al-Assad demanded more than $200 million in 1984 to leave Syria after an armed power struggle with his brother, the late President Hafez al-Assad. The investigative film “Rifaat’s Empire” on Al Jazeera 360 revealed details of how Rifaat al-Assad built a vast fortune in the heart of Europe. Despite a prison sentence and an order to seize his assets, Rifaat was able to leave France in 2021 in official limousine cars, escorted by the Interior Ministry to the aircraft door. Former French intelligence officers attributed this “safe exit” to the intelligence services Rifaat allegedly provided to Paris for 30 years. The film said France’s “deep state” ultimately preferred a “deal of silence” over imprisoning him and exposing the secrets of mutual cooperation.

Source: Libya Today February 01, 2026 08:59 UTC