According to reports from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has formally requested that Russia extradite former President Bashar al-Assad to face trial in Syria. Assad, who fled to Moscow in December 2024 after being ousted, has been under Russian protection since then.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, al-Sharaa stressed the necessity of handing over Assad and his close aides to Syrian authorities during discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. This request signals the new Syrian leadership’s commitment to accountability for past devastations and represents a direct challenge to Moscow’s longstanding support of Assad. 

The Kremlin has declined to confirm or deny these reports. Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “It is necessary to build and maintain a permanent dialogue with the Syrian authorities, which is what we will continue to do.”

This development marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s political landscape, as al-Sharaa’s government moves to assert its authority, seek justice, and redefine Syria’s relationship with Russia and the international community.