A U.S.-sanctioned Syrian businessman has unexpectedly dropped a defamation legal action against a Syrian activist and entrepreneur, apparently bowing to intense media scrutiny and public outcry.
Abdel Hamid Al Assaf arrived at a Damascus court expecting to fight a libel claim brought by Mohammed Hamsho, a wealthy figure blacklisted by Washington for ties to the former Assad regime. Instead, the court revealed the case had been dismissed without explanation, according to a document later obtained by an investigative journalism group.
The lawsuit stemmed from Al Assaf’s online criticism of Hamsho’s return to the Syrian capital despite active international penalties. Al Assaf had shared an image of Hamsho moving through the city under state security and urged authorities to prosecute him.
Al Assaf believes the withdrawal reflects Hamsho’s desire to avoid unwanted attention.
“He does not want any spotlight on himself,” he stated.
Hamsho, 59, has faced U.S. sanctions since 2011 and later blacklisting by Britain and the European Union for his close alliance with the deposed leadership. He is accused of benefiting from Syria’s wartime destruction and allegedly operating as a front for Bashar al-Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, a figure linked to the country’s illicit drug trade.
The legal conflict began in April, when authorities notified Al Assaf of the complaint. Tensions had been rising since January, when he learned Hamsho and his son Amro—both sanctioned under the U.S. Caesar Act—had reentered the capital. Al Assaf later claimed police pressured him into signing a restrictive order under threat of detention.
News of the lawsuit ignited public anger in Syria, with critics questioning how a war profiteer could return openly and use the judiciary to stifle dissent. A video of Al Assaf discussing the matter went viral, sparking a protest outside Hamsho’s home.
“Talking about his return must have brought him a lot of unwanted attention,” Al Assaf added. “Perhaps he dropped it out of fear of backlash.”
Syria’s Justice Ministry declined to comment, stating the case was a private matter. Hamsho’s family and legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
Hamsho is not alone among regime-linked businessmen making a comeback. In February, he and another sanctioned figure, Samer Foz, reportedly met with officials from the transitional governing authority, pledging support for dismantling Assad-era business networks. While Hamsho remains in Damascus, Foz is reported to have left for the United Arab Emirates after negotiations collapsed.
Last month, the U.S. and EU announced limited sanctions relief for Syria to support reconstruction. However, the EU extended penalties on individuals tied to the former regime through June 2026, citing the need for accountability and a peaceful transition.