Syrian general accused of atrocities is protected by U.S. and Lebanon, NPR and BBC find
A joint investigation by NPR and the BBC reveals that a former Syrian general accused of war crimes is living in Lebanon under the protection of U.S. and Lebanese authorities. The arrangement is reportedly tied to his cooperation in providing intelligence regarding the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice.
Why it matters
This report highlights the ethical and legal complexities of government intelligence operations when they involve protecting individuals accused of human rights abuses.
A former Syrian general facing U.S. sanctions and wanted internationally for crimes against humanity is living quietly in Lebanon, bankrolled and protected by American and Lebanese authorities, a joint BBC and NPR investigation has found.
Bassam al-Hassan, who oversaw Syria's chemical weapons program and was a senior advisor to former President Bashar al-Assad, moved to Beirut after fleeing Syria following the Assad regime's collapse in 2024.
An investigation by the BBC and NPR has found that Hassan has been allowed to remain there under an arrangement involving the FBI and other U.S. and Lebanese authorities.
This is at least partly because of his willingness to provide information about the abduction of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria in 2012, as well as additional intelligence, according to four sources familiar with the arrangement who asked to remain anonymous because of threats to their livelihood and safety.
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