Syrian General Accused of Atrocities Is Protected by U.S. and Lebanon, NPR and BBC Find
The former Syrian general is alleged to be receiving payments through an intermediary as investigators seek information on Austin Tice’s disappearance.
- An investigation by BBC News and NPR found American and Lebanese authorities are sheltering former Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan in Beirut under an arrangement involving the FBI.
- Sources report the deal began in the spring of 2025 to secure intelligence on the 2012 abduction of American journalist Austin Tice, as Hassan oversaw Syria's chemical weapons programme.
- Hassan receives payments from American authorities through an intermediary to obscure the trail, with one former regime member telling the BBC it is "not in his interest to share all the information all at once."
- Phil Elwood, spokesperson for the Tice family, called the arrangement "offensive," while officials in Damascus want Hassan returned for trial but American authorities insist he remain in Beirut.
- Concerns persist that the arrangement could continue indefinitely at significant expense with little gain, as many with knowledge of the investigation question Hassan's account that Tice was executed on orders from President Bashar.
23 Articles
23 Articles
US and Lebanon hosting Syrian general wanted for war crimes: Report
US and Lebanon hosting Syrian general wanted for war crimes: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 10/08/2026 - 17:27 US and Lebanese intelligence agencies are harboring a former Assad official who has promised to help them locate Austin Tice This picture shows the US embassy building in Awkar, east of Beirut, on 23 June 2025 (Joseph Eid/AFP) Off A former Syrian general wanted for crimes against humanity is being bankrolled and hosted by the …
A senior Syrian general from the former Assad regime now lives in Lebanon, where he is protected by the American and Lebanese...
The former Syrian general, wanted by the Syrian authorities for crimes against humanity, is allegedly being financed and protected by the US and Lebanese authorities, according to the BBC. The reason for this is said to be his cooperation in the kidnapping of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria in 2012.
A joint BBC and NPR investigation has raised allegations that former General Bassam al-Hassan, wanted for crimes against humanity in Syria and who oversaw the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime's chemical weapons program, is being protected by US and Lebanese authorities. According to the investigation, al-Hassan is being offered shelter, security, and financial support in exchange for information about the fate of American journalist Austin Tice, wh…
Former Syrian general Bassam al-Hassan, who is wanted for crimes against humanity, is being funded and protected by the United States and Lebanon, BBC News and NPR investigators have revealed. Hasan oversaw Syria's chemical weapons program under ousted President Bashar al-Assad. He took refuge in Lebanon after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
Former Syrian General Bassam al-Hassan, wanted for war crimes, is being protected and funded by the US and Lebanon in exchange for intelligence on missing journalist Austin Tice.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
