Russian authorities have said they will not hand over Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad, following requests from the acting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Jordanian newspaper Rai-al-Youm reported on Sunday.
Assad fled Damascus by plane on Sunday, December 8, escaping the rebel coup in the capital. He flew to Russia's Hmeimim airbase in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia, and from there on to Moscow, where he met with his family.
"One of the conditions for Bashar al-Assad's settlement in Moscow is his complete abstention from any media and political activity, and up to this point, no violations have been observed on his part," Russian Ambassador to Baghdad, Alperus Kotrashev, told the Islamic Republic News Agency.
"The asylum of Bashar al-Assad and his family was issued based on the direct orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the decision in this regard will not change," Kutrashev added.
Syria initially requested Assad's return in February
Sharaa reportedly asked Russia to hand over the former regime leader in February, Reuters reported, citing an informed Syrian source.
"The only agreement reached between Damascus and Russia is to continue the review and talks," the source said.
Reuters also quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the Syrian president would return funds deposited by Assad in Moscow.
However, sources confirmed that Russia informed Sharaa that Assad had not deposited any funds in Russia.