Moscow: Assad is safe in Russia; no plans to extradite

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, has stated that the former Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is safe in Russia.

In an interview broadcast on NBC News on Tuesday, December 10, Ryabkov stated that Bashar al-Assad had been brought to Russia in the best possible manner. He further emphasized that “Assad’s place is safe, and Russia will act according to its needs in such sensitive situations.”

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad. In response to questions about whether Russia would hand Assad over to the International Criminal Court, Ryabkov noted that Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) convention.

It is noteworthy that Russia has supported Syria since the early days of the Cold War, recognizing the country’s independence in 1944. Since then, Syria has been one of Russia’s main allies in the Middle East.

However, following a large-scale attack by the group “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” last Sunday, the Moscow-backed government in Syria collapsed, and Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus.

Russia’s continued support for Assad highlights its strategic interests in the Middle East, particularly in maintaining its influence in Syria.

The country’s actions in providing asylum to the former Syrian leader could further intensify tensions in the region, especially with the ongoing geopolitical struggles surrounding Syria’s future.

The developments surrounding Assad’s departure from Syria and his relocation to Russia will likely have significant implications for both regional stability and international diplomacy, as nations weigh their responses to Russia’s role in the conflict.

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