New Syria government demands Russia hands over Assad, reports say

Syria’s new authorities have reportedly demanded that Russia hand over deposed former Syrian dictator Bashar Al-Assad and his aides, amid recent negotiations between Damascus and Moscow regarding their newfound relations.

This week, a Russian delegation, led by deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, and Special Envoy, Alexander Lavrentyev, met with Syrian officials including interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, in what marked the first official diplomatic talks between the Russian government and Syria’s new authorities since the overthrow of late dictator Bashar al-Assad.

According to Reuters news agency, which cited an unnamed Syrian source close to the matter, the new interim government requested the Russian delegation that Assad – who fled the country for Moscow as former rebels took over Damascus on 8 December – be returned to Syria along with his close aides, with the apparent intention of holding them to legal account.

Al-Sharaa also pressed the delegation for compensation and the correction of “past mistakes”, referring to Russia’s long support for the Assad regime and the Russian military’s numerous atrocities against both civilians and rebels throughout much of the 13-year-long civil war.

The Russian delegation reportedly responded by expressing unwillingness to comply with those demands and to concede such mistakes, with the only agreement between the Russian and Syrian officials having been to continue their discussions.

According to the Russian state news agency, TASS, Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, refused to comment on the reports.

READ: Syria’s Sharaa declared president for transition