Esma Assad’s Leukemia Battle Amid UK Travel Ban
Esma Assad Banned from Entering the UK
Esma Assad, the wife of Syria’s ousted leader Bashar Assad, has been banned from entering the UK. Despite reports claiming she has a 50% chance of survival due to leukemia, she will not be able to return to London, her birthplace.
According to British media, government sources confirmed that Esma Assad is subject to travel sanctions and is prohibited from entering the UK.
Divorce and Treatment Speculations
Reports have suggested that Esma Assad intends to divorce her husband and return to the UK for treatment. However, government officials revealed that her British passport, which expired in 2020, has not been renewed, leaving her without any valid travel documentation.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated in the House of Commons on December 9 that „Assad is a sanctioned individual and will not be welcomed here.“
„50% Chance of Survival“
According to The Telegraph, Esma Assad has been diagnosed with leukemia, with doctors estimating her chances of survival at 50%. She is reportedly in isolation to prevent infections, under the care of her father, cardiologist Fawaz Akhras.
In May, it was disclosed that Esma Assad had been diagnosed with acute leukemia, a cancer type affecting blood cells in the bone marrow. Five years ago, she had battled breast cancer, which she declared herself free from after a year-long treatment.
Sources cited by The Telegraph stated that the leukemia had returned following a remission period. A direct source close to the Assad family commented, “Esma is dying. Her condition is so severe that she cannot be in the same room as anyone else.”
Bashar Assad’s Escape to Russia
Following the capture of Damascus by jihadist forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Bashar Assad fled to Russia, where the Moscow government granted the Assad family asylum. The family maintains strong ties with Russia, particularly in Moscow.
What Lies Ahead for the Assad Family?
Esma Assad’s future remains uncertain, especially in light of her health and the family’s reliance on their strong Russian connections.
Who is Esma Assad?
Esma Akhras, born in West London’s Acton district to a Syrian cardiologist and diplomat parents, married Bashar Assad in 2000. She graduated in computer engineering from London’s prestigious King’s College and later worked as an investment banker.
Dr. Nesrin Alrefaai from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) pointed out that Esma still holds a British passport, suggesting that “she might return to the UK instead of staying in Russia.”