Former Lattakia Governor Major General Ibrahim Khader Al-Salem has been arrested based on a warrant issued on October 18 by the Ministry of Justice’s Lattakia Court, and he is now in Al-Basseh prison in the governorate. Ten out of 14 officials wanted for investigation in the same cases have been arrested, while four are currently in hiding.
Al-Salem faces multiple charges, including bribery, forgery of official documents, misuse of public funds, embezzlement, and seizing state properties. A video circulated on social media appears to show his arrest, but it seems that the arrest took place more than 45 days before the warrant, as reported by local media.
On October 3, the semi-official Al-Watan newspaper disclosed the arrest of various officials, neighborhood leaders, building contractors, and influential figures, describing them as part of a corrupt network involved in unlicensed construction, embezzlement of public funds, changing the zoning status of real estate, extortion of public properties, and money laundering. Properties of the accused individuals, including their spouses and children, were reportedly subject to precautionary seizure.
Among the detainees are the director of Cadastral Affairs in Lattakia, his assistant, two former mayors of Lattakia city, and the former director of the technical services department. A member of the People’s Assembly is also among the accused, and there are reports calling for the lifting of his immunity for arrest.
The current head of the Lattakia Governorate Council disclosed on September 10 the transfer of five files to monitoring and inspection authorities, involving corruption and waste amounting to billions of Syrian pounds in the Lattakia City Council, the General Housing Establishment, and other projects, according to Al-Watan.
Simultaneously, the Prime Minister issued Resolution No. 1751 on November 13 to establish a committee to assess properties with modified zoning status in Lattakia, numbering over 180 properties, and examine changes to the building code. The committee includes officials from the Deputy Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, Deputy Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Lattakia City Council, State Council, financial directorate of the governorate, and real estate services directorate.
Reports suggest that Al-Salem enjoys support from Bouthaina Shaaban, political advisor to President Bashar Al-Assad, with whom he has familial ties. Al-Salem previously served as head of the Criminal Security Branch in Lattakia and held the position of governor for seven years.
Corruption cases involving Al-Salem are reportedly valued at over SYP 52 billion, particularly related to real estate issues, such as unlicensed construction and unauthorized increases in building height, allegedly in exchange for a share in each building. Local reports hint at more than 100 properties registered in the name of Al-Salem, his wife, and children, though the accuracy of this information remains unverified.
One prominent case involves the Zeitouna residential project in Lattakia, built without detailed zoning plans, leading to suspicions of informality and falsified official documents. Allegations include developers requiring advance payments for residential apartments and corrupt practices in connecting utilities.
While the exact reasons behind the corruption charges are not officially disclosed, unconfirmed rumors suggest a dispute over a refusal to pay USD 10 million to a senior state official. The lack of transparency in official media adds complexity to understanding the motivations behind corruption files against the former governor.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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