Assad Allies Profit Off UN Money For Syria

摘要

The United Nations spent $140 million on goods and services in Syria last year. Of that, at least $18 million went to organizations with close ties to President Bashar al-Assad, some of them run by people sanctioned by the U.S. and European Union. Contracts for telecommunications and security were awarded to regime insiders including Rami Makhlouf, Assad's cousin and one of the wealthiest men in Syria. More than half the money, $9.5 million, was spent by UN staff staying at the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus, co-owned by Syria's tourism ministry. Some UN money even went to a charity set up by Assad's wife.