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A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Zein al-Assad, son of Syrian deposed President Bashar al-Assad, attending a graduation ceremony at Moscow State Institute of International Relations. The footage shows a formal event, though the exact date and authenticity of the video remain unverified.
If genuine, the video highlights the stark contrast between the normal, even celebratory life enjoyed by the Assad family abroad and the ongoing struggle of the Syrian people to recover from the destruction and looting attributed to the ruling regime.
https://x.com/SyriaalAssad313/status/1939732314910499201/video/1
Bashar al-Assad and Family Flee to Russia Following Opposition Takeover in Damascus
In a sudden development on December 8, 2024, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his family fled Syria after opposition forces took control of Damascus, leading to a rapid collapse of the previous regime’s strongholds.
According to media reports, the family was evacuated to Russia, Assad’s main international ally since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Moscow reportedly facilitated the secure evacuation as part of undisclosed arrangements that allowed Assad, his family, and close associates to leave safely.
Russian authorities confirmed the transfer in an official statement by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, stating that Assad was brought to Russia under full security. The asylum grant was ordered personally by President Vladimir Putin following the opposition’s takeover of the Syrian capital.
The Kremlin, through spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, emphasized that the decision to grant asylum was solely Putin’s prerogative. While they declined to confirm Assad’s exact location, they stressed that Russia is not a party to the International Criminal Court and will not hand him over to any external entity.
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