The uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stood trial in Paris on Monday accused of pumping tens of millions of pounds of “ill-gotten gains” into a vast property empire for himself and his extended family.

However, Rifaat al-Assad, dubbed the "Butcher of Hama" for allegedly commanding troops that put down an uprising in central Syria in 1982, was not present in court “for medical reasons”.

His lawyers said doctors of the 82-year-old British resident had “recommended he avoid any stressful situations”.

Mr Assad, who splits his time between France and Britain, has been under investigation in France since 2014.

He is charged with organised money laundering to illegally build a €90 million (£76m) property portfolio in France.

His reported French empire comprises two Paris townhouses, one measuring 32,000 square feet, 40 luxury flats, as well as a stud farm, a chateau and 78,500 square metres of office space in Lyon.

The trial, scheduled to last until Dec 18, concerns crimes allegedly committed between 1984 and 2016, including aggravated tax fraud and misappropriation of Syrian funds.

He denies the charges.