BBC journalists checked all numbers in the notepad, and one of the…
BBC journalists checked all numbers in the notepad, and one of the contacts turned out to be a Russian phone number of Luka.
Consensus
- Husam Luka, former head of Syria's intelligence service, disappeared after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 21024.
- A notebook containing 155 handwritten contacts was found in Luka's abandoned residence in Damascus.
- Journalists from BBC traced Luka's possible whereabouts using contacts from the notebook.
- One of the contacts provided a Russian phone number linked to Luka.
- A second phone number, registered in Syria, was traced to two suburbs of Moscow.
- A source in the Lebanese government confirmed that Luka traveled through Lebanon using a valid Russian passport under a different name.
- Luka is reportedly under investigation in Syria for alleged crimes including intentional killings, torture, and deaths resulting from torture.
- Bashar al-Assad fled Syria with his family and was granted political asylum in Russia after the fall of Damascus in December 2024.
Points of divergence
- BBC reported that Luka's phone call was arranged via a contact in Lebanon who was being sought by the new Syrian government due to ties with the Assad regime. — vesti
- The Guardian reported that Assad is studying ophthalmology and Russian language, and that he has no financial concerns. — vm
- The Guardian reported that the Assad family lives a luxurious life in Moscow but is isolated from Syrian and Russian elites. — meduza
- Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian president, stated that Vladimir Putin personally decided to grant asylum to Assad and his family. — vm
- BBC News described Luka as 'one of the most dangerous people' in Syria during Assad's rule. — meduza
- The General Prosecutor of Syria, Hasan al-Turba, told BBC that the government filed a lawsuit against Luka. — kommerstant
Coverage (4 sources)
- Foreign media learned where the former head of the Syrian intelligence service is located — Вести
- BBC: Head of Syria's intelligence under Bashar al-Assad fled the country and lives in Russia — Вечерняя Москва
- BBC: Former head of Syrian intelligence, who fled the country after the ouster of Assad, may be in Russia — Meduza
- BBC reported on the location of the former head of Syrian intelligence who disappeared in 2024 — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
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