Damascus – Action Group
The Zaman al-Wasl website, citing unnamed sources, reported that Syrian banks, both public and private, have issued directives freezing the bank accounts of Syrian-Palestinian businessman Naeem al-Jarrah.
According to the source, these measures have extended to several members of his family, including his two wives and a number of his children, amid a lack of any official explanation from the relevant authorities regarding the reasons for or details of the decision.
The website indicated that this step comes as part of measures taken by the Anti-Illicit Enrichment Authority, which included the seizure of movable and immovable assets belonging to the individual in question.
*Well-known investment activities*
The surgeon is known for his active involvement in investment, owning several projects, most notably the “Uptown” complex in Damascus, which opened in 2014, and “Al-Qarya Al-Shamiyah,” which served as a filming location for parts of the popular television series “Bab Al-Hara.”
Furthermore, a family wedding in 2016 sparked considerable controversy, given the economic conditions the country was experiencing at the time.
*A broader context of financial procedures*
This comes as part of broader moves in Syria’s financial sector in recent years, with relevant authorities, including the Anti-Illicit Enrichment Commission, intensifying their investigations into cases related to sources of wealth and financial assets.
The Central Bank of Syria issued a circular in 2025 freezing the bank accounts of individuals and entities associated with the former regime, as part of regulatory and oversight measures.
*Nature of precautionary measures*
Such measures, when violations are suspected, usually include imposing precautionary restrictions such as temporarily freezing accounts or seizing assets, until investigations are completed or judicial decisions are issued.
*Who is Naeem Al-Jarrah?*
A Syrian businessman of Palestinian origin, active in the fields of real estate and tourism investment, and known for a number of projects inside Syria, most notably “Uptown” and “Al-Qarya Al-Shamiyah”, with a limited media presence compared to the size of his investments.