In #Syria NGO SOS Chrétiens d’Orient has funded regime-linked orgs and supplied pro-Assad militias, our 8-month @mediapart investigation—out today in English—reveals

w/ @arialavrilleux, @elieguckert + @journalismfund support

1- https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/051020/french-christian-ngos-links-pro-assad-syrian-militia

2- https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/290920/french-ngo-christians-orient-and-its-ties-assad-regime
French NGO 'Christians of the Orient' and its ties with the Assad regime

French association SOS Chrétiens d’Orient (SOS Christians of the Orient) is a self-declared "apolitical" not-for-profit NGO, which sends volunteers and staff across the Middle East with the stated...

https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/051020/french-christian-ngos-links-pro-assad-syrian-militia
Founded 7 years ago, the right-wing French Catholic NGO now sends volunteers throughout the Middle East to help "Christians of the Orient", presenting itself as "apolitical."
Founded 7 years ago, the right-wing French Catholic NGO now sends volunteers throughout the Middle East to help "Christians of the Orient", presenting itself as "apolitical."
Founded 7 years ago, the right-wing French Catholic NGO now sends volunteers throughout the Middle East to help "Christians of the Orient", presenting itself as "apolitical."
But on the ground the NGO supports two openly pro-Assad militia leaders. Simon al-Wakil and Nabel al-Abdullah, who SOSCO present as “heroes”, are accused by Syrian human rights NGOs of having committed or participated in war crimes including civilian executions.
But on the ground the NGO supports two openly pro-Assad militia leaders. Simon al-Wakil and Nabel al-Abdullah, who SOSCO present as “heroes”, are accused by Syrian human rights NGOs of having committed or participated in war crimes including civilian executions.
But on the ground the NGO supports two openly pro-Assad militia leaders. Simon al-Wakil and Nabel al-Abdullah, who SOSCO present as “heroes”, are accused by Syrian human rights NGOs of having committed or participated in war crimes including civilian executions.
SOSCO has resupplied militiamen with provisions and raised money for the families of dead soldiers. Last year, the NGO gave trophies to al-Abdullah and al-Wakil for the “liberation” of their towns.
SOSCO has resupplied militiamen with provisions and raised money for the families of dead soldiers. Last year, the NGO gave trophies to al-Abdullah and al-Wakil for the “liberation” of their towns.
SOSCO has resupplied militiamen with provisions and raised money for the families of dead soldiers. Last year, the NGO gave trophies to al-Abdullah and al-Wakil for the “liberation” of their towns.
SOSCO has resupplied militiamen with provisions and raised money for the families of dead soldiers. Last year, the NGO gave trophies to al-Abdullah and al-Wakil for the “liberation” of their towns.
The French NGO has also given €470k to the Syria Trust for Development, a foundation run by Asma al-Assad, Bashar’s wife. Asma has been under European sanctions since 2012 and is “one of Syria’s most notorious war profiteers,” according to Mike Pompeo.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex:32012D0739
The French NGO has also given €470k to the Syria Trust for Development, a foundation run by Asma al-Assad, Bashar’s wife. Asma has been under European sanctions since 2012 and is “one of Syria’s most notorious war profiteers,” according to Mike Pompeo. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex:32012D0739
The French NGO has also given €470k to the Syria Trust for Development, a foundation run by Asma al-Assad, Bashar’s wife. Asma has been under European sanctions since 2012 and is “one of Syria’s most notorious war profiteers,” according to Mike Pompeo. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=celex:32012D0739
The STD played a major role in suppressing the revolution and denies protection + resources to independent NGOs. It also diverts international aid, only 20% of which actually gets to the intended beneficiaries, according to researchers at @medirections.

https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/67370/RSCAS_RPR_2020_09.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
The 2020 #CaesarAct added Asma al-Assad to the US sanctions list and targeted anyone doing business with the regime. As a partner of the STD, SOSCO could in theory be penalised and told us it was concerned about the new law. Yet the cooperation on the ground continues.
The 2020 #CaesarAct added Asma al-Assad to the US sanctions list and targeted anyone doing business with the regime. As a partner of the STD, SOSCO could in theory be penalised and told us it was concerned about the new law. Yet the cooperation on the ground continues.
The 2020 #CaesarAct added Asma al-Assad to the US sanctions list and targeted anyone doing business with the regime. As a partner of the STD, SOSCO could in theory be penalised and told us it was concerned about the new law. Yet the cooperation on the ground continues.
Read the two-part investigation here ⬇️

“French NGO 'Christians of the Orient' and its ties with the Assad regime”
https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/290920/french-ngo-christians-orient-and-its-ties-assad-regime

“French Christian NGO's links to pro-Assad Syrian militia” https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/051020/french-christian-ngos-links-pro-assad-syrian-militia
French Christian NGO's links to pro-Assad Syrian militia

French Catholic association SOS Chrétiens d’Orient (SOS Christians of the Orient) claims to help Christians in Syria without interfering in the conflict that for nine years has been tearing the...

https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/290920/french-ngo-christians-orient-and-its-ties-assad-regime
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