The new leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has made a strong demand to Russian President Vladimir Putin to hand over former head of state Bashar al-Assad for trial in his homeland. This was reported on March 21, 2025, by sources of the Arab TV channel Al Arabiya, emphasizing that the request is official and reflects Damascus' desire to hold the former president accountable for the crimes committed during his rule. The statement was another step in the complex diplomatic game between Syria and Russia, whose relations remain key amid political changes in the region.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took over the country after the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024, insists that the former leader face Syrian justice. Assad, who fled to Russia after the rebels' rapid advance, is still under Moscow's protection, causing tension in bilateral contacts. Al Arabiya's sources specify that the demand for extradition was voiced during negotiations with the Russian side, but official confirmation from the Kremlin or the Russian Foreign Ministry was not received at the time of publication. The Syrian authorities believe that Assad's extradition will be an important symbol of the transition to a new era, free from the legacy of a long-standing dictatorship.

The request underscores al-Sharaa’s determination to shore up his legitimacy at home, where many citizens are demanding justice for the former regime. Bashar al-Assad, who has ruled Syria since 2000, is accused of mass repression, war crimes, and the use of chemical weapons against his own people, killing hundreds of thousands during the civil war. His flight to Russia after the fall of Damascus was made possible by long-standing alliances with Moscow.

It is worth noting that al-Sharaa's demand is not the first in this direction. Back in late January 2025, as Reuters reported with reference to informed sources, the Syrian leader raised the issue of Assad's extradition during a visit by a Russian delegation to Damascus. At that time, the fate of the Russian military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim, which remain an important element of Moscow's presence in the region, was discussed. According to the agency, Russia has not yet given a clear answer, which has given rise to speculation about possible disagreements between the parties.