Billionaires Alone Receive Protection: The Story of Mohannad Al-Masri
April 16, 2025, 4:34 pm

Billionaires Alone Receive Protection: The Story of Mohannad Al-Masri

المليارديرات وحدهم يحصلون على الحماية: قصة مهند المصري

The Emirati authorities have released Syrian businessman Mohannad Fayez Al-Masri, Chairman of the Board of the "Damasco" Group, after six years of detention on charges of financing and managing terrorist activities in Syria.

This comes after a diplomatic mediation led by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara during his recent visit to the UAE, where Al-Masri returned to Damascus on the presidential plane.

Al-Masri's release raises several important questions about the reasons behind it: Is it due to his status as a billionaire, or is it because of his economic position as the head of the "Damasco" Group, which has been linked to activities related to money laundering for the former regime? Additionally, there are concerns about his connections with political and economic figures from the regime.

Activists believe that Al-Masri's release was based solely on a specific desire from transitional President Ahmad Al-Shara, as Al-Masri was a key supporter of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham at that time.

On the other hand, some have questioned the fate of hundreds of Syrian detainees in Lebanese prisons and other countries who are waiting for their release, especially since they do not have the " resumes" that would make them prime subjects for the media affiliated with the current regime!

It is worth noting that Al-Masri has not publicly taken significant political positions against the previous regime, having previously honored the Syrian national team loyal to the Assad regime. He has also expressed support for the Turkish initiative (the safe zone in northern Syria), considering it an opportunity to activate developmental projects to achieve self-sufficiency.

Al-Masri is active in northern Syria, and he is the founder and manager of Damasco Company, which operates in the fields of tenders, supplies, and contracts within previously liberated areas.

Arrest of Brigadier General Salem Dagistani on War Crimes Charges Protest Against Sectarian Arrests in Damascus

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.