Syria's Sharaa requested Assad's extradition in Putin meeting: foreign ministry

Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa requested that Russia extradite former president Bashar al-Assad, who has been living in exile in the country following his ouster in December last year, according to the foreign ministry.

In an interview with Syrian state television on Saturday, Ashhad Salibi, the Deputy Director of the Russia and Eastern Europe Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Moscow is "understanding" of Damascus’ desire to achieve "transitional justice" with regards to the matter.

Assad is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out during the bloody civil war in Syria, which killed over half a million people, led to the displacement of millions more and devastated the country’s infrastructure and economy. He was ousted following a lightening offensive led by Sharaa and opposition rebels in December 2024, ending decades of Baathist rule in Syria.

Assad has had international arrest warrants issued for him over the years, particularly from France.

In September, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, a prominent rights monitor, also called for Assad’s extradition – as well as a formal apology from Moscow for their support of the regime and their role in the war.

In the interview, Salibi added that new political leadership in Syria is "adopting transparency" in dealing with Russia, while ensuring that the Syrian people "are kept informed of all developments," in a likely reference to Syrians’ association of Russia with their allyship with the regime, and the sensitive nature of Sharaa's visit.

Salbi also revealed that discussions between the two sides included establishing new legal mechanisms for cooperation on wanted persons and pending cases, while he emphasised continued coordination with Moscow in the Security Council and the United Nations.

The foreign ministry official added that Syria is seeking to "reformulate its foreign policy in line with its national interests" and is working to consolidate its relations with all countries and the international community, following years of diplomatic isolation.

Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in what was described as Damascus seeking "redefined ties" in the aftermath of the ouster of the Assad regime - which Moscow supported militarily.

Prior to the meeting on Wednesday, Syrian government officials said Sharaa intended to discuss economic issues related to investment, the status of Russian bases in Syria, and the issue of rearming the new Syrian military.

During his first visit at the Kremlin, Sharaa had pledged to Putin that Damascus would "honour" all past deals struck between his country and Moscow, which includes the two Russian military bases located in Hmeimim and Tartous.

In turn, Putin said Moscow "was ready to do all it could" to act on what he called "many interesting and useful beginnings" that had already been discussed between the two sides when it came to renewing relations.