Former dictator Bashar al-Assad has been forced to cancel his week long run of stand up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe after the Syrian courts sentenced him to death in his absence.
The 20 minute show, entitled 'Damn ass cussin' was scheduled to begin on Saturday, despite early mixed reviews.
The Guardian had slated his act as 'torturous' saying that Assad 'murdered his material', while The Independent said that his show had been tried and tested over the last few years on the Moscow circuit and that as a result he was 'killing it'.
A statement from the festival organisers apologised for the short notice cancellations and confirmed that all tickets would be refunded.
'Bashar is of course very sorry for disappointing his fans, but we're sure everyone appreciates that while dying on stage is an occupational hazard for any comedian, being dragged out into the desert and having a bullet fired into your skull at point blank range is no laughing matter. Even for McIntyre.'
They continued 'we remain fully committed to meeting the obligations of our acts during the festival and are doing everything in our power to ensure there is no further disruption to the schedules. Which is why we have sent Lee Mack on a diplomatic mission to the Iranian Islamic Republic to try and get the fatwa lifted from Mel and Sue. At least until the end of their run.'
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