EU preparing new Syrian sanctions It was estimated that £100 million of assets held by the extended Assad family and senior members of the regime had been frozen in Britain alone over the past 14 months. But those assets are a fraction of the global wealth held by the family, business partners and advisers, estimated at up to £900 million. The president, his British-born wife Asma, his mother Anisa and sister Bushra are among 129 individuals already subjected to an EU asset freeze, along with 49 government bodies or businesses. The decision to allow police and customs officials to board suspect ships and planes was reached after weeks of arguments over legal technicalities. European diplomats said such powers could probably be used only in national waters or ports. On the high seas, boarding would require the approval of whatever flag the ship was sailing under. The proposal, which was pushed through by Britain and France, followed British attempts to block the voyage of the MV Alaed, which was believed to be carrying Russian-refurbished attack helicopters to Syria. It was forced to turn back to Russia, but only after its British insurers withdrew their coverage.