{
  "id": 6931116,
  "title": "Bashar Al Assad’s cousin arrested in Lebanon drugs case",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/bashar-al-assads-cousin-arrested-in-lebanon-drugs-case",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T12:41:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/bashar-al-assads-cousin-arrested-in-lebanon-drugs-case-1.500672267"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lebanese army apprehends Suleiman Hilal Al Assad, cousin of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, in Bekaa region on Friday, along with two others, according to a Lebanese security source. The detainees were allegedly found in possession of drugs, the source stated under anonymity conditions. Among the arrested was Ali, son of Nouh Zaiter, a prominent Lebanese drug trafficker facing US, British, and European sanctions. Zaiter was previously arrested by the Lebanese army in late 2025. Suleiman Hilal Al Assad was described as a civilian, not a former military officer, by the security source. The three detainees were transferred to the Lebanese Ministry of Defence for questioning, but no further details were immediately provided about the charges or arrest circumstances.",
  "summary": "Beirut: The Lebanese army arrested Suleiman Hilal Al Assad, a relative of former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, in the Bekaa region of eastern Lebanon on Friday, along with two other people, according to a Lebanese security source. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the three were detained while allegedly using drugs in Bekaa. Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Lebanese army detains Bashar Assad’s relative on weapons and drugs charges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/lebanese-army-detains-bashar-assads-relative-on-weapons-and-drugs",
        "published": "2026-09-12T11:44:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}