Egyptian Businessman Naguib Sawiris has revealed new details about the seizure of his investments in Syria by the family of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Sawiris had said in earlier television statements that “Bashar al-Assad’s cousin seized my investments in Syria, forced me to partner with Rami Makhlouf, removed me from the company, fired our employees with less than the investment I had put in, and expelled us from the country.”
Sawiris commented on a social media post that asked why he was raising the issue now, saying, “I filed a lawsuit in an English court and won, but I was not compensated for my losses.”
Sawiris had previously indicated on Al Arabiya Business channel that he had not received his dues from Syria during Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
He explained, saying, “The man stole from me, but he will be held accountable. I don’t like to gloat. I had a painful memory there.”
The Egyptian billionaire also expressed his readiness to participate in the reconstruction of Syria.
Syrian Communications Minister Hussein al-Masri responded to the statements made by Sawiris, who claimed to have been defrauded in Syria and that he is owed significant financial amounts.
In a statement to CNBC Arabia on Wednesday, al-Masri said, “We welcome all businessmen, companies, and traders. Anyone who has money or a right, let them come to us. We have a fair judiciary.”
He added, “Anyone who has rights with us can claim them through the judiciary. We, all companies, and businessmen are under the authority of the judiciary.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
