The former Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad reportedly survived an assassination attempt while in Russia, where he sought refuge following his removal from power 10 months ago.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Assad was discharged from a hospital on the outskirts of Moscow after allegedly being poisoned. The motive behind the attack was said to be an attempt to discredit the Russian government and implicate it in his demise. Only his brother, Maher Assad, was permitted to visit him during heightened security measures. Reports suggest that Assad’s current condition is stable, although the Russian authorities have not officially responded to the allegations.
The new Syrian government has requested Assad’s extradition, but Russia has thus far declined. President Putin personally granted asylum to Assad, his family members, and close associates. Assad, aged 60, has remained out of the public eye since his arrival in Russia and is believed to be closely monitored by Russian intelligence services.
Despite claims of poisoning, there is no concrete evidence to support the allegations. An earlier report mentioned Assad expressing health concerns to his security team shortly after arriving in Russia, but this account remains unverified.