Moscow, January 3, 2025: Reports have emerged alleging that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was poisoned while staying in Russia.
Last month, prior to the opposition’s takeover of Damascus, al-Assad fled to Russia with his family. Russia reportedly granted asylum to al-Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds. However, foreign media outlets have claimed that there was an attempt to poison the ousted president in Moscow.
An online account named General S.V.R., believed to be operated by a former senior Russian intelligence officer, reported that al-Assad fell seriously ill in Moscow on Sunday. The 59-year-old former president allegedly sought medical assistance after experiencing severe coughing and breathing difficulties.
The account suggested that an attempt had been made on al-Assad’s life and that he was treated in his apartment. By Monday, his condition reportedly stabilized, and medical tests indicated he had been poisoned.
Notably, the General S.V.R. account did not provide specific sources for its claims. As of now, the Russian government has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations regarding the incident.