Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reportedly requested that Russia extradite former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his close aides, according to sources familiar with discussions between al-Sharaa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

The request, if confirmed, would mark a major turning point in Syria’s post-Assad era, as the country’s new administration seeks to bring the former regime to justice following Assad’s ouster late last year. Assad and members of his family fled to Moscow, where they remain under Russian protection.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on whether al-Sharaa’s demand had been raised during the talks, but the Kremlin did confirm that Russia is working to establish dialogue with Syria’s new leadership in an effort to safeguard its strategic military presence in the region.

Bogdanov’s visit to Damascus this week marks the first official engagement between Russia and Syria’s new government since the fall of Assad, signaling a potential shift in Moscow’s stance as it seeks to recalibrate its role in the war-torn country. However, whether Russia will consider turning over its longtime ally remains uncertain.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)