DUBAI: Rami Makhlouf, one of the richest men in Syria, is relinquishing his assets to his charity Ramak Humanitarian, newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported.
His shares in several banks and insurance companies will not be transferable or sellable, Makhlouf said.
In another video message on Facebook, the businessman said he was “very relieved and euphoric” to transfer the ownership.
It was “very difficult, but giving it to a humanitarian charity is an indescribable joy,” he added.
The move allows Makhlouf to avoid government seizure of his assets, sources in Damascus told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The Syrian government earlier ordered the seizure his assets, his wife’s and children’s on May 19, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters.
The document said the “precautionary seizure” aimed to guarantee payment of sums owned to the Syrian telecom regulatory authority.
According to the Syrian government, Mahklouf’s telecommunications company, Syriatel, owes nearly $77 million.
He has released a number of video messages on his Facebook page regarding the dispute, appealing to his cousin, Syrian President Bashar Assad, for help in one of them.
![]()
Syria’s Rami Makhlouf relinquishes assets to charity
Short Url
https://arab.news/9cb53
Syria’s Rami Makhlouf relinquishes assets to charity
- Makhlouf said he was “very relieved and euphoric”
- The Syrian government said his company owes $77 million
Iran launches three satellites into space from Russia
- Domestically built observation satellites marks new step for Tehran’s space program despite Western sanctions
TEHRAN: Iran launched three domestically built observation satellites into space from Russia on Sunday, state television reported, marking a new step for Tehran’s space program despite Western sanctions.
The country maintains that its aerospace industry is peaceful and complies with UN Security Council resolutions imposed over its nuclear program.
“Three Iranian satellites, Zafar-2, Paya and Kowsar 1.5, were launched into space by a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia,” Iranian television reported.
The satellites were to be used for “observation” and were designed by “the private sector,” the official IRNA news agency said.
Paya is Iran’s most advanced domestically produced imaging satellite, using artificial intelligence to improve image resolution, IRNA said.
It said the satellite would focus on water resource management, environmental monitoring and mapping.
The Russian Soyuz launcher was chosen because it is one of the most reliable in the world for transporting sensitive satellites, according to the Fars news agency.
Iran has carried out 10 satellite launches in the last two years, including one in July from the same launch site in Russia.
Western countries fear that these satellite launch systems incorporate technologies interchangeable with those used in ballistic missiles, potentially capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Tehran denies those accusations and refutes that it is trying to acquire nuclear weapons.
The country maintains that its aerospace industry is peaceful and complies with UN Security Council resolutions imposed over its nuclear program.
“Three Iranian satellites, Zafar-2, Paya and Kowsar 1.5, were launched into space by a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia,” Iranian television reported.
The satellites were to be used for “observation” and were designed by “the private sector,” the official IRNA news agency said.
Paya is Iran’s most advanced domestically produced imaging satellite, using artificial intelligence to improve image resolution, IRNA said.
It said the satellite would focus on water resource management, environmental monitoring and mapping.
The Russian Soyuz launcher was chosen because it is one of the most reliable in the world for transporting sensitive satellites, according to the Fars news agency.
Iran has carried out 10 satellite launches in the last two years, including one in July from the same launch site in Russia.
Western countries fear that these satellite launch systems incorporate technologies interchangeable with those used in ballistic missiles, potentially capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
Tehran denies those accusations and refutes that it is trying to acquire nuclear weapons.
Latest updates
© 2025 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.