The administration of the al-Nabek and Yabroud area, under the Rural Damascus Governorate, announced that the Illicit Gain Committee has taken control of Zuraa Holding, which is mainly owned and managed by businessman Salim Daaboul, and appointed a temporary supervisor to manage its operations and follow up on its affairs.

The administration said in a statement published today, Wednesday, June 10, that Zuraa Holding owns a shareholding stake in al-Nibras Joint Stock Company, which in turn owns al-Qalamoun Private University.

The administration confirmed that the educational and administrative process at al-Qalamoun Private University is continuing normally and regularly, and that all academic, educational, and service activities are proceeding according to approved plans without any interruption or impact resulting from the measure.

The rights of students, faculty members, and university staff are also fully protected, and the university continues to carry out its educational and academic mission as usual, without any change to its programs or services, according to the administration’s statement.

The statement said the administration of the al-Nabek and Yabroud area held a meeting with the Illicit Gain Committee to discuss the procedures related to Zuraa Holding and mechanisms for implementing them, within the framework of coordination and cooperation between the concerned public authorities to ensure the smooth functioning of work and protect public rights and interests.

The administration stressed the need to verify accuracy, obtain information from official sources, and avoid being drawn into rumors or undocumented news, according to its wording.

Reports had circulated on social media claiming that the Syrian government had taken control of al-Qalamoun Private University and would change its programs and operating mechanism, including tuition fees and salaries.

What Is Zuraa Holding?

Zuraa Holding is a Syrian closed joint stock company founded in 2017 and is mainly owned and managed by businessman Salim Daaboul.

The company is considered a large investment umbrella under which several subsidiaries operate, with its investments concentrated in:

Education sector: It owns major stakes in educational institutions and companies established to create private schools.

Health sector: It has links and investments in the hospital and health institution sector.

Real estate development and investment: It has multiple projects in areas under the control of the former regime, especially in the Qalamoun area of Rural Damascus Governorate.

Who Are the Owners and Founders?

The company’s shares are distributed between the Daaboul family and other partners, most notably:

Salim Daaboul: The largest owner and director.

Bilal Salim Daaboul: Founding partner.

Mohammad Salim Daaboul: Founding partner.

Salim Daaboul is the eldest son of Mohammad Daaboul, known as “Abu Salim Daaboul,” who held the position of executive director of the presidential office during the eras of Assad father and son for more than 40 years.

He held that position from the era of Hafez al-Assad until the early years of Bashar al-Assad’s rule, and is known as the “keeper of the palace secrets.”

Voluntary Disclosure Program Deadline Extended

The Committee for Combating Illicit Gain announced the extension of the voluntary disclosure program deadline for an additional three months, starting from the end of the previous deadline set for the end of May.

The official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the committee on May 25 as saying that the extension decision came out of its national responsibilities to recover funds and assets linked to illicit gain, strengthen economic stability, and was based on the powers granted to it.

The extension decision also came after reviewing requests and applications submitted by people who were unable to benefit from the previous deadline for the voluntary disclosure program.

The committee explained that the decision came after evaluating the results of the previous phase and what they showed about the importance of the voluntary disclosure program as a legal tool adopted in similar international experiences and UN recommendations. It said the program contributes to accelerating the recovery of funds and assets, easing the burden on judicial tracks, and enabling files to be processed within a well controlled legal framework while preserving the rights of the state and the public interest.

Illicit Enrichment Committee Extends Disclosure Deadline