"Name similarity" freezes the properties of hundreds of Syrians

Hundreds of Syrians in Homs and other areas are facing a legal and administrative dilemma that has led to the freezing of their real estate and movable assets. This is due to a lack of coordination between the Ministries of Finance and Interior regarding the lists of those subject to precautionary seizures, sparking widespread public discontent over the issue of name similarity.

Local sources and residents told Zaman al-Wasl that the Ministry of Finance recently issued lists containing hundreds of names of citizens whose properties were seized on charges related to supporting the former regime. However, these lists were sent with only the first, middle, and last names, without including national identification numbers, mothers' names, or dates of birth.

The absence of detailed information, particularly national identification numbers, has left hundreds of citizens victims of name similarity. In a country where surnames are often associated with large, extended families, people with no connection to the cases found themselves unable to manage their properties.

One of those affected in Homs said, "I went to sell a piece of land I own, only to discover a precautionary seizure order against my name. It later turned out that the order was for someone else with the same full name, but the paperwork at the Ministry of Finance doesn't differentiate between us."

Upon contacting the Homs Finance Directorate, officials informed residents that the department had contacted the Ministry of Interior (Civil Affairs Directorate) to obtain complete data and national identification numbers for accurate identification. However, these communications have yet to receive a response, leaving the cases pending.

Legal experts say this bureaucratic confusion is disrupting the economic cycle in the province, which is already suffering from the consequences of the war.

"Imposing seizures based solely on a first, second, or third name is a legally imprecise procedure that makes property rights hostage to the slow pace of inter-ministerial correspondence," said a Syrian lawyer from Homs.