Al-Assad Family Would be Sanctioned by EU

Asma al-Assad

European Union states imposed sanctions on Asma al-Assad, the wife of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad as a way to increase pressure on Damascus and end its violent assault on anti-government bases.

Foreign ministers met in Brussels on Friday, recently they have set asset freezes and bans on travel to the EU. This imposition also affects other family members of the Syrian leader including his mother.

The full list of sanctions will be made public on Saturday when the decision comes fully into force. However Asma al-Assad, a former British investment banker, is not limited by the EU travel ban to entering Britain. The ban does stop her from travelling to the other 26 EU nations. (AV)