Syrian police arrested on Monday a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad accused of shooting dead an army officer in a traffic dispute, state media reported.

"The authorities arrested Suleiman Hilal al-Assad and transferred him to the relevant parties," state news agency SANA reported, according to ARA News. Suleiman al-Assad is a son of the Syrian president's cousin Hilal.

Suleiman allegedly killed Air Force Col. Hassan al-Shiekh on Thursday night after a road accident that damaged his black Humvee, according to AFP. The incident took place in the suburbs of the coastal city of Latakia.

Suleiman's arrest came after hundreds of Syrians demanded his execution during a rare protest rally on Saturday in Latakia city, dominated by Assad's sect Alawites and traditionally considered as his stronghold.

"I am innocent, the truth shall be revealed soon and everyone who insulted me will be punished. The Facebook pages with my name are not mine, and those who demonstrated against me should have joined the army and fought the terrorists instead, but you are all dogs and traders. You will regret this after allowing the oppositions to gloat us," Suleiman wrote on his Facebook page, threatening the protestors, according to Al Bawaba.

Hassan al-Sheikh's wife Mayssa Ghanem, however, told a local newspaper that the president has "promised to punish the perpetrator, whoever he is," according to PTI.

"The president's pledge was passed to her by official delegations that came to Latakia to express their sympathies. I have confidence in the word of the president, who is personally taking charge. We will get our rights," she said.