A new investigation has revealed that Mark Bridges, Queen Elizabeth II’s private solicitor for nearly two decades, helped manage offshore trusts holding millions for Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and a man accused of leading one of the bloodiest massacres in Middle East history.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, in collaboration with The Guardian, found that Bridges managed two trusts for Rifaat al-Assad between 1999 and 2008 while working at the elite law firm Farrer & Co, which represents the British royal family. Bridges continued to offer Rifaat legal advice as late as 2015, years after international outcry over the 1982 Hama massacre, in which up to 40,000 civilians were reportedly killed.
Rifaat al-Assad, long accused of war crimes, was convicted in France in 2020 for using stolen Syrian state funds to amass an £80 million property empire in Europe. He has since returned to Syria under a deal with his nephew Bashar, avoiding jail time.
Bridges and Farrer & Co have denied wrongdoing, saying they complied with all legal standards and that, at the time, there was “credible information” casting doubt on the allegations against Rifaat.
The revelations raise new questions about the vetting processes used by top legal firms representing high-profile clients, especially when dealing with foreign political figures. While there is no evidence that Bridges knowingly facilitated criminal activity, critics argue his ties to such a figure are troubling—especially given his close ties to the monarchy and the Crown Estate.
This case adds to growing scrutiny of Britain’s legal and financial services, which have long been accused of enabling corrupt regimes to safeguard assets under the guise of legitimacy.
Photo: Queen Elizabeth - Reuters