Assad hides from public view as family claims asylum in Russia
The article discusses the current situation of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has reportedly gone into hiding and has not appeared in public or on camera for over a week. This silence comes amidst the turmoil surrounding the downfall of his regime. After fleeing Damascus, Assad and his family have sought refuge in Moscow, where they were granted asylum on humanitarian grounds. The details concerning their living arrangements and Assad’s political future remain unclear, though it is indeed noted that his rescue was arranged at the personal request of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Assad hides from public view as his family settles into life under Putin’s protection
Former Syrian President Bashar Assad has not been seen on camera in over a week, staying virtually silent throughout the downfall of his regime.
The deposed dictator and his family escaped the capital city of Damascus on Sunday and made their flight to Moscow, where he was taken in on humanitarian grounds.
Assad’s living arrangements, political future, and treatment by his new hosts are unknown — but officials have confirmed that the rescue of the fallen tyrant was made at the personal behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Such decisions can’t be taken without the head of state. It was [Putin’s] decision,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state outlet Tass.
The spokesman was tight-lipped about the details of Assad’s arrangements and where he will be lodged.
“As for President Assad’s whereabouts, I’ve got nothing to tell you,” Peskov said. “What happened [in Syria] has surprised the whole world. And in this case, we are no exception.”
Assad is a longtime ally of Putin, and the two have shared a friendly relationship for decades. He and his family will likely be given luxurious quarters by the Russian government.
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, a Russian asset who was ousted from power in 2014, fled to Moscow and was granted protection.
A 2017 investigation by anti-Kremlin Russian outlet Meduza claimed to track Yanukovych to a sprawling compound in Bakovka owned by the Interior Ministry. Surrounded by immense brick walls and thick forest, the former world leader’s purported accommodations appear generous if rather severe.
President Askar Akayev, the first leader of modern Kyrgyzstan, was similarly invited to start over in Russia after protesters stormed his residence in 2005 and chased him out of the country. He has since been living a more subdued life, working as a professor at Moscow State University.
The Assad family is believed to be worth in excess of $1 billion and will likely be able to sustain their lifestyle without Russian charity.
As a now-stateless person, it is possible the Kremlin will choose to give the Assad family Russian citizenship and passports.
Former National Security Agency contractor and American whistleblower Edward Snowden was granted Russian citizenship by Putin in 2022 after almost a decade of asylum. Though Snowden publicly affirmed his self-identity as an American, the Kremlin-provided passport gave him greater security after a series of extensions on his political asylum.
Assad has not made any addresses or issued any public statements since the collapse of his government last week.
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