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Syria Reportedly Demands Russia Extradite Ousted Assad and Provide Compensation

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Syria Reportedly Demands Russia Extradite Ousted Assad and Provide Compensation
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the new Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, January 25, 2025. (Source: the Syrian General Command / Telegram)

Syria’s new leadership called on Russia to “address past mistakes” and take action, including compensating and extraditing ousted Bashar al-Assad, during discussions with visiting Russian officials on January 29.

“The discussions emphasized Russia’s role in rebuilding trust with the Syrian people through tangible actions, including compensation, reconstruction, and recovery,” a statement by the Syrian General Command published on Telegram reads.

The Russian delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Putin’s special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, who held talks with the new Syrian leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Al-Sharaa had reportedly asked Moscow to extradite ousted Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after being overthrown by Sharaa’s opposition forces in December, Reuters reported, citing a Syrian source familiar with the talks.

According to The Moscow Times, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Putin, declined to address reports that Syria’s new leadership had requested Assad’s extradition.

“The new administration also underscored that restoring relations must involve addressing past mistakes, respecting the will of the Syrian people, and serving their interests,” the General Command concluded.

The discussions also addressed “justice for the victims of the brutal war waged by al-Assad’s regime,” the statement added.

On December 8, Syrian opposition forces announced the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad following their capture of Damascus, ending over five decades of authoritarian rule by the Assad dynasty.

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