Security reports indicate that Major General Bassam Al Hassan, a former commander in Bashar al-Assad’s Republican Guards, has claimed that the ousted Syrian president ordered the execution of missing American journalist Austin Tice. Al Hassan, who was intimately involved with the regime and oversaw the facility where Tice was allegedly held, made these statements during discussions with US law enforcement in Lebanon earlier this year.
Tice disappeared in August 2012 while working as a freelance journalist near Damascus, shortly after his 31st birthday. Though the Syrian regime has persistently denied knowledge of his whereabouts, investigations by the BBC suggest otherwise, asserting Tice was detained in Damascus.
Al Hassan reportedly tried to convince President Assad against ordering Tice’s death before eventually relaying the order, claiming he provided possible locations for Tice’s remains. While some intelligence sources express skepticism over Assad directly issuing such orders, ongoing investigations are attempting to verify Al Hassan’s claims.
Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, recently traveled to Beirut to advocate for her son’s cause, expressing her wish to speak with Al Hassan. Despite her efforts, those attempts have been unsuccessful. She continues to believe her son is alive, voicing a determination to reunite with him someday.
As discussions surrounding Tice’s fate continue, the hope remains that diplomatic efforts may yield positive outcomes.
Source: www.bbc.com
