The 36-year-old former investment banker and other relatives of regime members will join 114 Syrians – topped by her husband Bashar – and 38 organisations subject to freezes on their assets and bank accounts in EU member states.
European diplomats said the decision to add Mrs Assad to the list would be taken on Friday at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
"A number of family members will be added to the list," said a diplomatic source.
EU and British officials have faith that the move will add to the "stranglehold" on the regime, though it has survived 11 previous rounds of sanctions.
Like others already listed, Mrs Assad is likely to be subject to an EU travel ban, though this would not prevent her travelling to Britain, if she has retained her British citizenship. » | Alex Spillius, and Bruno Waterfield in Brussels | Monday, March 19, 2012
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Syria: 'I am the real dictator', declares Asma al-Assad – Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of Syria’s president, told a friend that she was the “real dictator” in the family, according to leaked emails that suggest she holds a cherished place in the leader’s inner circle. » | Alex Spillius, Diplomatic Correspondent | Sunday, March 18, 2012
