Syria’s effort to repatriate former president fails as Russia maintains his protection

Russia has firmly rejected a request from Syrian acting President Ahmed al-Sharaa to extradite former President Bashar al-Assad, following his escape from Damascus.

The request, initially made in February, was met with a categorical refusal from Russian authorities, confirming that Assad's asylum in Russia remains secure under the protection of President Vladimir Putin, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Assad fled Syria on December 8, escaping a rebel coup in the capital. He flew to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Latakia, Syria, and then proceeded to Moscow, where he reunited with his family.

Russian Ambassador to Baghdad, Alperus Kotrashev, confirmed that Assad's stay in Russia was granted on the direct orders of President Putin. "One of the conditions for Bashar al-Assad's settlement in Moscow is his complete abstention from any media and political activity, and up to this point, no violations have been observed on his part," Kotrashev told the reporters.

Kotrashev further stressed, "The asylum of Bashar al-Assad and his family was issued based on the direct orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the decision in this regard will not change."

Syria's request for Assad's return reportedly came in February, with sources revealing that al-Sharaa had sought Russia’s cooperation in facilitating the former president's return. However, diplomatic sources reported that Russia informed al-Sharaa that Assad had not deposited any funds in the country, contrary to some earlier claims.

As of now, no significant breakthroughs have been made in negotiations between Damascus and Moscow, and Russia has reaffirmed its position on Assad’s status in the country, signaling that the former president's security remains a priority under Putin’s protection.

By Vafa Guliyeva