US and Lebanon protecting wanted Syrian general, BBC finds

What the report says

BBC News says a former Syrian general wanted for crimes against humanity, Bassam al-Hassan, is being sheltered in Lebanon with support involving US and Lebanese authorities. The report identifies Hassan as a senior adviser to former President Bashar al-Assad who oversaw Syria’s chemical weapons programme, and says he is linked to the 2012 abduction of American journalist Austin Tice.

According to the BBC’s investigation, which was carried out with NPR, Hassan has been allowed to stay in Lebanon because he is providing information about Tice and other intelligence. The BBC says it reviewed records of a meeting involving Hassan, FBI and CIA representatives, and Lebanese security officials, in which he was offered residency, protection and help with living costs in return for co-operation. The BBC also says sources familiar with the arrangement described payments being made through an intermediary.

The report says Syrian officials in the new government want Hassan returned to face trial, while US authorities prefer he remain in Lebanon. The FBI declined to comment beyond referring to an earlier statement about finding facts in the Tice case and seeking his return.

The story comes as questions continue over what happened to Tice, who has been missing since 2012. BBC reporting says earlier findings indicated his abduction was planned and that Hassan was within the chain of command. The BBC says there are also concerns among people connected to the case that the arrangement may continue without producing much new progress.