Georgy Borisov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, recently stated that the country's decision to grant political asylum to Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, is definitive and irreversible. This remark was made following the historic ruling of the Syrian court condemning Bashar al-Assad in absentia for multiple crimes during his rule.
Condemnation of Bashar al-Assad and its Consequences
In the ruling of the Syrian court, Bashar al-Assad was condemned for crimes against humanity and human rights violations during his rule. This ruling, which was issued in absentia, will have significant consequences for him and the political future of Syria, especially as he seeks asylum in Russia. Following this ruling, Syrian rebel groups launched extensive attacks against Syrian government positions in late November 2024 and took control of Damascus on December 8 of the same year.
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Russia and Support for Assad
Borisov emphasized that Russia's decision was made for humanitarian reasons and that the current government in Damascus is aware of this. He stated, "Our Syrian partners are well aware that Russia has granted political asylum to Bashar al-Assad for humanitarian reasons. The current government in Damascus knows that this decision is irreversible." These remarks come as Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia following the rebel attacks and is seeking to maintain his power and security.
Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been recognized as the interim leader of Syria and announced himself as the interim president for a transitional period of four to five years on January 29, 2025. These developments indicate profound changes in the power structure of Syria and also highlight Russia's role as the main supporter of Bashar al-Assad in this crisis.
However, given the critical situation in Syria and increasing international pressures on Bashar al-Assad, it is expected that his political future and that of the country will face serious challenges. As rebel groups strengthen their positions, the role of Russia and how this country supports Assad will be very significant for the future of Syria.
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