Did Assad's Wife Work for British Intelligence?

Asma al-Assad, the wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is suspected of having worked for British intelligence prior to her marriage to the future head of state. This was reported by Sky News Arabia, citing alleged documents.

“Syrian opposition journalist Nizar Nayouf has published documents in his possession. These contain additional details about Asma al-Assad's connections with British intelligence, as she had secured a position at the American JP Morgan bank in London,” the article states.

It is further clarified that Syrian authorities might have been aware of such contacts, which is why the then-president Hafez al-Assad was opposed to his son Bashar's marriage to Asma.

The Times had previously reported that Asma al-Assad would be unable to return to Great Britain due to her British passport expiring. This could have happened either because the former first lady did not renew her permit herself or because British authorities obstructed her from doing so.