The father-in-law of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad still has a UK medical licence, despite having his assets frozen by the US government over his links to the regime.

Fawaz Akhras, the father of Assad’s British-born wife, Asma al-Assad, is a cardiologist and has practised medicine at hospitals in the UK.

The family reportedly fled their £1million home in Acton, West London after the Assad regime was overthrown by rebels last week.

Akhras was sanctioned by the US government in December 2020, on the grounds that the two families have accumulated their ‘ill-gotten riches at the expense of the Syrian people through their control over an extensive, illicit network’.

But the General Medical Council (GMC) is now facing questions over why it has continued to license Akhras in the UK, The Times reported.

GMC guidance says doctors must act with honesty and integrity and are told ‘you must make sure that your conduct justifies patients’ trust in you and the public’s trust in your profession’.

It is not suggested that the standard of the medical treatment provided by Akhras was in breach of UK standards.

Asma’s parents and two brothers are all under US sanction. Her brother Feras Akhras, a UK national, has also been sanctioned by the EU due to his links to a Syrian payment company.

Asma is the only member of her family who is subject to sanctions in the UK.

In 2012, Akhras claimed the use of armed force against the people of Homs was justified because lives were at stake – and compared it to David Cameron threatening to use the army against rioters.

Akhras founded a lobby group in 2002 called the British Syrian Society to promote his daughter’s vision of preserving Syria’s heritage.

Many assets owned by those close to the regime are now being frozen, including a townhouse in Mayfair, owned by Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of the former president.

A spokeswoman for the GMC told The Times: ‘We can and will investigate serious concerns that suggest patient safety or the public’s confidence in doctors may be at risk. We consider all concerns that are raised with us and we take this responsibility very seriously.’

MailOnline has also contacted the medical council for comment. 

Akhras said: ‘Father-in-law is not a political position. I have never been politically involved, in any capacity, with the former Syrian government.’

He described US sanctions as politically motivated and his success and reputation as a medical professional was built on his integrity.

MailOnline has spoken to neighbours, friends and business owners in the heavily Syrian part of London where Asma’s parents own a £1million home.

Neighbours say the couple flew to Moscow 10 days ago, where their daughter, Al Assad and grandchildren are seeking asylum under Vladimir Putin.

Mohamed Ekrayem, who owns Abu Zaad, which boasts of being London’s oldest Syrian restaurant, recalled locals sharing friendly chats with Mr Akhras before he changed when his daughter married President Assad.

Speaking from its West Ealing branch just down the road from where Asma grew up, the businessman recalled locals sharing friendly chats with her father before he became ‘stuck up’ and flaunted his wealth.

‘Her father and mother used to come into my cousin’s shop, but that stopped after Asma married,’ he told MailOnline. ‘A lot of money came to her. Yesterday you saw all her clothes and Louis Vuitton handbags – she was very rich.

Syrian rebels reached Damascus over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government following nearly 14 years of civil war.

Assad fled to Moscow, where he and his family were granted asylum.

The regime has been accused of severe human rights violations and cruel assaults against civilians throughout the 13-year civil war, including the use of chemical weapons against their own people. 

The successful uprising has raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which is still split among armed groups.

The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment.