1
Feb. 3, 2012 - Ms. Assad sends an email to friends with a question: “Does anything catch your eye,” referring to several Christian Louboutin shoes including a pair of crystal-encrusted 16-cm high heels that cost almost $6,000. A friend replied: July 23, 2011 - The President sends his wife an article from Veteranstoday.com. The article looks at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's influence on Western politicians. One quote about the description of Mr. Murdoch from the article: Dec. 28, 2011 - With Arab League monitors touring the country, deaths reported in Homs and Hama, and protests still rocking the country, Ms. Assad wrote to her husband: Jan. 20, 2012 - Perhaps thinking about a cosy family dinner, Asma al-Assad asks if they can get a fondue set and links to an Amazon shopping page with several options: Feb. 6, 2012 - An email correspondence between a Paris boutique and Alia Kayali, thought to be a pseudonym for Ms. Assad, orders candlesticks, tables and chandeliers worth $15,500. The correspondence lasts months, and in it “Ms. Kayali” expresses concern about the order: Feb. 5, 2012 - Mr. Assad apparently enjoys the music of U.S. singer Chris Brown and British group Right Said Fred. On this date, Mr. Assad sends his wife a file of the U.S. country star Blake Shelton singing “God Gave Me You.” A lyric from that song: Dec. 2011/Jan. 2012 - In a series of emails, Al Mayassa Al Thani, a daughter of the emir of Qatar, and Ms. Assad discuss Syria and tensions within the Arab world. Sheikha Al-Mayassa suggests Doha could be a place of exile and writes: In late December, 2011 - Ms. Assad sends her husband a link to various personalised armoured clothing's websites. The links: Dec. 23, 2011 - Two suicide bombers kill dozens in Damascus. Syrian state TV immediately blames al-Qaeda, but an email from a Lebanese businessman called Hosein Mortada tells the president it is not in the state’s interests to blame them. The email adds: Dec. 30, 2011 - The President and his inner circle shared a YouTube video that mocks international observers in Homs and makes light of accusations that tanks were active in the city. The video shows a toy car with a straw attached as a gun turret that dismantles when the observers show up. One reaction to the video was very excited: June 17, 2012 - In this email Ms. Assad asks a family fixer (referred to as Abdulla) to order a $4,100 Ming Con Luce vase. Made by Reflex, the vase was described as having white frosted glass and a 20-watt dichroic bulb. She asks: Nov. 20, 2011 - One email exchange between Asma Al-Assad, the President’s wife, and Azmi Mikati, the nephew of the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, talks about a Harry Potter film. Ms. Assad requests that Mr. Mikati bring the final film in the series for her when he visits Syria. Ms. Assad asks: July 19, 2011 - Ms. Assad places an order with a “cousin” for four necklaces made at a Paris workshop. She orders: “1 Turquoise with yellow gold diamonds and small pave on side”;“ Cornaline with yellow gold diamonds and small pave on side”; “1 Full Black Onyx with yellow gold diamonds and small pave on side” and “1 Amethyst with white gold diamonds and small pave on side.” She also says on July 23: SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER JESSE MINSKY, JONATHAN RIVAIT, ANDREW BARR AND RICHARD JOHNSON / NATIONAL POST THE SECRET LIVES OF THE ASSADS Leaked emails purportedly from Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Asma, show how the presidential couple are living as the country is torn by turmoil. The emails contain declarations of love, orders for diamond necklaces and a Ming vase, and arranging to see the latest Harry Potter movie. The emails were obtained by Britain’s Guardian and although the newspaper said their authenticity could not be established beyond doubt, it was satisfied they were genuine.
