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Syria’s new authorities ask Russia to hand over Assad — Reuters

Source: Reuters

The new Syrian administration has called on Russia to extradite former President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with negotiations between the two countries.

The demand was reportedly made by Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that took power after Assad’s ouster.

When asked about the request, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment.

A Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, arrived in Syria on January 28 — the first such visit since the change of power in the country. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the new Syrian administration has also demanded compensation from Russia. During the talks, Syrian officials stated that the “the restoration of relations must take past mistakes into account, respect the will of the Syrian people, and serve their interests.”

Bashar al-Assad fled Syria on December 8. Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Assad and his family asylum in Russia.