Damascus bans from traveling abroad some 32 former officials and their children

Well-informed sources in Damascus told the London-based al-Hayat daily that 32 former officials are prevented from traveling outside the country until the end of investigations in corruption cases.

The sources explained that there is a list including the names of several retired or fired state or non- state officials who were changed in the recent years or following the formation of the new Syrian government under the chairmanship of Muhammad Mustafa Miro in March this year, having 22 new ministers.

Former Syrian prime minister Mahmoud al-Zou'bi "committed suicide" after he was sentenced to be brought before the court and expelled from the ruling Baath Arab socialist party.

The Syrian minister of finance has released decisions to " reserve the assets, transferred or non-transferred " owned by al-Zou'bi and his deputy for economic affairs Salim Yassin and the minister of transport Mufeed Abdul Karim. The sources added that some of these officials tried to flee the country ( these include the deputy premier for services Rashieed Akhtareini ), at a time when others returned back to Syria in line with this list to be brought before the investigators of the economic security court and the central commission for inspection and audition.

The sources indicated that the travel ban decision included children of some of those officials.

Two days earlier ( on Wednesday) the regional leadership of the Baath party " met and discussed " lifting Party immunity" from several former government officials because they were brought before the court. The ministry of finance is expected to release a decision to " reserve their assets." the measures includes withdrawing back their houses, the official cars, guards and privileges these officials used to enjoy while being in power.