Rami Makhlouf, business tycoon and cousin of Syrian President Bashar Assad, demanded on Thursday a public hearing to punish all persons who plotted against his companies.
“Many Syrians await immediate and practical measures to stop the fraud, deception and the return of usurped property to the Syrian people,” Makhlouf posted on his Facebook page Thursday.
Makhlouf said that the Justice Ministry received a letter he sent to the Chairman of the High Judicial Council, Bashar Assad, explaining his wish to open a public and transparent investigation to unveil the identity of those who stole the assets of the Syrian people.
Last week, Makhlouf accused the powerful security forces of backing the stripping of assets from charities owned by his holding company, Ramak Development and Humanitarian Projects, and selling them to corrupt politically influential businessmen.
“They have turned to robbing these humanitarian bodies and its projects by selling their assets,” he said in his social media posting.
Makhlouf revealed that he had sent a letter to Assad to help restore the rights to the poor who rely on the charities and their projects for aid.
Since late April, the Syrian tycoon has taken to Facebook with messages and videos that have appeared to expose a rift within the ruling Alawite sect over allegations by the Syrian government that Makhlouf has hidden money overseas.
The 51-year-old businessman has been embroiled in a power struggle with the state since last year.
A few days ago, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security services have released dozens of employees working in companies owned by Makhlouf.
