London –French judge opened an official formal investigation in accusations against Rifaat al-Assad, uncle of Syrian Regime President Bashar al-Assad, a source said.

Rifaat Assad is an opponent of his nephew’s regime.

Rifaat is accused of tax fraud and money-laundering. The source informed that the latter is suspected of having acquired his wealth in France illegally. He was put under investigation on June 9 after an interrogation with a French financial judge and was also banned from leaving France apart from trips to London for health reasons.

Two anti-corruption associations filed complaints against him in 2013. French authorities began looking into whether there was evidence of corruption, bribery and money-laundering in 2014.