In January, the new Syrian government asked the Russian leadership to extradite ousted President Bashar al-Assad, but the Kremlin refused. This was reported in an interview with The New York Times by interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Despite the refusal, Sharaa stressed that the Syrian administration does not intend to sever relations with Russia. He recalled that most of the Syrian weapons were produced in Russia, and the country is largely dependent on Russian food and energy supplies. “We are obliged to take into account these key interests of Syria,” he said.
Reuters also reported in January about the intention of the new authorities to seek Assad’s extradition. Later, sources from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath confirmed the information, but only now has it received official confirmation from Damascus.
According to Reuters, the interim government also demanded that Moscow return the funds that Assad took to Russia. According to the agency’s sources, this concerns $500,000 in cash, as well as jewelry. In addition, Assad took important documents, laptops and hard drives containing classified information with him.
Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024, after which he immediately left Syria and received political asylum in Russia. Two key Russian military bases continue to operate in Syria: the naval logistics center in the port of Tartus and the Khmeimim air base in Latakia province. Both bases are of strategic importance to Moscow.