Syrian government imposes royalties on traders in Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – A security branch of the Syrian government imposed royalties on shops and a medicine company in Aleppo, northwest Syria, additionally, the son of a shop owner was arrested for not paying the royalties.
A trader from Aleppo told North Press that members of al-Khatib branch imposed royalties on shop owners in Sheikh Najjar, Ramousa, and markets in Old Aleppo.
Al-Khatib branch, aka the confidential office, is run by Asmaa al-Assad, wife of Syrian President, which is known for her involvement in economic projects.
The royalties imposed on some shops in Mocambo neighborhood have reached 275 million SYP (about $19,000), while those imposed on other shops in Hamdaniya, Furkan, and Salaheddine, have reached one billion SYP.
In the industrial area of Sheikh Najjar, members of al-Khatib branch raided Vita Pharma company and arrested the son of the company owner till the royalties that reach a billion SYP will be paid.
The markets in Aleppo witnessed closure of its shops, avoiding confrontation with the members of the security branch.
Relatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad manage three offices recently opened in Aleppo under the name “remittances and money exchanging” to impose royalties of millions of Syrian pounds on traders who still live in the city.