Syria’s Assad ‘locks up his super-rich cousin so he can repay Putin’s war loans’

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Syrian’s leader has ‘locked up’ his super-rich cousin and confiscated his assets in order to pay off Putin’s war loans, according to reports.

President Bashar al-Assad and his first cousin, Rami Makhlouf, the country’s richest man, reportedly had had a row over how to meet Russian loan repayments.

The debts were built up during the Syrian civil war, throughout which Russia has been Syria’s constant ally.

Assad has reportedly detained his cousin and confiscated his assets to make the repayments.

Rami’s son, Mohammad Makhlouf, 22, is known for flaunting his high-flying lifestyle on Instagram – and often posts pictures of himself in front of super cars and luxury yachts and his chiselled physique.

One picture shows him basking in the sun in a massive villa in Dubai.

He also posts photos of his collection supercars, including Maseratis, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces.

According to the Sun Online, Assad was forced to act by Putin, who was asking for $3billion (£2.47) billion in loan payments.

The assets have been confiscated on a basis of a ‘campaign against corruption’, The Times reported.

Some reports claimed that Rami Makhlouf had been put under house arrest along with his brothers and father.

One web user who appeared to be appeared to another cousin of Makhlouf reportedlycommented on Facebook : “Whoever thinks this will stop with my uncle and his sons should see a vet…#housearrest.

Rami, who owns many of Syria’s biggest businesses, built his own empire after the current president came to power.

Russia’s demand of money apparently coincide with the arrival of Russian special forces, it is reported.

It’s rumoured that the Kremlin don’t like the Syrian’s links to Iran, whose forces has long-term interests in the region.