A joint investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and National Public Radio (NPR) has uncovered arrangements believed to provide former Syrian general Bassam Hassan with funding, protection, and living assistance from the United States while he resides in Lebanon. Hassan, who is wanted on charges related to crimes against humanity committed during the rule of Bashar al-Assad, remains in the country despite active pursuit by international authorities.
The report indicates that Hassan secured his position in Lebanon following the fall of the Syrian regime in late 2024. This status is part of an understanding involving American and Lebanese entities, wherein Hassan provides information concerning the kidnapping of American journalist Austin Tays, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, alongside other intelligence assets. According to the investigation, meetings were held between Hassan, representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and Lebanese security officials to discuss provisions for his residence, protection, and livelihood needs. The agreement was likely finalized in the spring of 2025.
Sources familiar with the matter told the BBC that US funds reached Hassan through intermediaries, complicating tracking efforts despite his being subject to US sanctions. Concerns have been raised by individuals connected to the investigation regarding the indefinite continuation of this arrangement due to its high cost and the lack of tangible progress in the Tays case.
Hassan previously served as an advisor to Assad and oversaw Syria’s chemical weapons program. He reportedly informed US investigators last year that Tays was executed on orders from Assad and identified a potential location for his remains. However, searches at the site yielded no results, raising doubts about the accuracy of the information provided. Some sources suggest that US authorities halted excavation operations before completion, possibly for security reasons.
The new Syrian government has demanded Hassan’s extradition for trial, but US authorities maintain his presence in Lebanon. Damascus currently lacks clear options to alter this situation. The arrangement has drawn sharp criticism from Tays’ family. Phil Elwood, spokesperson for the family, stated that using taxpayer money to provide a comfortable life for someone linked to chemical weapons attacks and suspected involvement in Tays’ execution is insulting. He emphasized that such a scenario aids impunity and called for Hassan to face justice.
The investigation also notes that Hassan is not the only former official receiving payments for cooperation. Another former Assad regime member claimed to have received multiple payments from the FBI, suggesting he withheld full information to prolong funding. Additionally, another former associate reportedly lives in Lebanon under US protection. A former senior Lebanese intelligence official confirmed cooperation agreements between Lebanese and US agencies, including payments in overlapping operational cases, though he denied knowledge of payments specifically tied to the Tays case.
Hassan likely fled to Iran after the regime’s collapse before negotiations involving the US, Lebanon, and Iran facilitated his transfer to Lebanon. The report lists other former officials, including Muhammad Makhloof, Saqr Rustum, and Ghassan Nusayr, as having connections to the Tays case and residing outside Syria. While the FBI declined to comment on the new findings, referring instead to previous statements focusing on uncovering the truth and ensuring Tays’ return, the BBC did not receive responses from the CIA or the General Security Directorate of Lebanon.
