Arrest of Hilal Hilal Uncovers Corruption Files in Ruling Party in Damascus

The fallout from Hilal Hilal's case goes beyond the individual, shedding light on the extent of corruption and embezzlement at the highest levels of the Baath party

The financial embezzlement charges against former Baath Party official Hilal Hilal have caused a significant stir, especially with leaks about his looting and squandering of "party assets," according to the party's auditing committee. This committee was formed following complaints regarding the distribution of houses, properties, and vehicles, and the transfer of funds abroad to individuals described as "close to Hilal and wartime cronies," as reported by sources within Damascus

The new Baath Party leadership has established inspection and review teams to scrutinize the central leadership’s records. Recent revelations have uncovered corruption and embezzlement amounting to billions of Syrian pounds. According to informed sources in Damascus, "Hilal's alliance with the Qaterji group has highlighted numerous cases of corruption." They noted that Baraa Qaterji, who was recently killed in Damascus by an Israeli airstrike according to the regime, had allied with Hilal in the 2020 parliamentary elections, garnering the support of families and tribes in Aleppo, which led to Qaterji's entry into parliament and the sidelining of former head of the Syrian Chambers of Industry Federation, Fares Shehabi

The sources confirmed that Hilal Hilal has been detained in connection with investigations related to corruption and embezzlement. The investigations, which began with the new party leadership's tenure, recently unveiled the involvement of prominent party figures, including Hilal, in embezzling and wasting public funds estimated in the tens of billions

Sources from the Syrian capital revealed the uncovering of a corruption network linking employees and managers in key government positions with leaders in significant roles within the Baath Party. This network has been implicated in thefts amounting to millions of dollars from Al-Sham Private University, fraudulent procurement contracts, and large bank deposits to benefit from interest

Regarding the escape of involved parties, the sources confirmed that Hilal Hilal is currently in custody, with recommendations issued to seize the assets of some of those implicated in corruption within the party apparatus, and travel bans and asset seizures for others, along with the detention of main culprits

In terms of the "party corruption network" and its connections to neighboring countries, the sources indicated that the issue is "entirely internal" and might relate to "score-settling." However, the corruption is local, involving a network and alliances at the highest echelons of the party and state. They added that Ibrahim Al-Hadeed, the new deputy secretary-general of the Baath Party, announced during a board meeting of the "Dar Al-Baath" about a significant overhaul after admitting the errors of comrades and the necessity of change, emphasizing that the Baath Party remains unrivaled on the national stage

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, in his capacity as the party's secretary-general, announced a plan to "revamp and renew the system of work within the party, society, and state." During a central committee meeting, he emphasized that ideological parties gain greater importance in the current global circumstances. Former party central committee member Mohammad stated that renewal and change are necessary, highlighting that the party suffers from stagnation and lack of accountability. He described the uncovering of corruption as the first step since the era of Hafez Al-Assad, who granted the party immunity and sanctity. Mohammad added that opening security files would reveal bigger scandals involving theft, corruption, and even murder and collaboration

Mohammad told "Al-Araby Al-Jadeed" that inspection committees continue to expose corruption and thefts in cooperation with relevant official bodies, determined to complete their mission regardless of the involved individuals' identities. He confirmed the recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the vacating of houses, the confiscation of cars granted by Hilal Hilal, the freezing of accounts, the seizure of funds, and the detention of influential figures

Lastly, Mohammad noted that the statement issued by the central leadership’s media office of the Arab Socialist Baath Party on Friday evening is an attempt to "contain the scandal" following widespread reaction within Syria and the exposure of billion-dollar thefts, while the people suffer from starvation and poverty. He emphasized that the statement uses wooden rhetoric with implicit threats and accusatory tones, anticipating that the issue will conclude with the announcement of a new phase for the party in line with the "clean-up" declared by President Bashar Al-Assad in the party, parliament, and state

Levant News