Assad securely transferred to Moscow, Russian official confirms to NBC

The Russian deputy foreign minister has confirmed to NBC News that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was transported to the Russian capital, Moscow, "in the most secure way possible". 

“He is secured, and it shows that Russia acts as required in such an extraordinary situation,” Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the US broadcaster. 

He added, however, that he has "no idea what is going on with him right now" and that it “would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved”.

When asked about potentially handing Assad over to the International Criminal Court, Ryabkov only said that Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute, which established the court. 

Russia is providing sanctuary to Bashar al-Assad, having transported him there “in the most secure way possible” after the swift collapse of the Syrian leader's regime, Russia’s deputy foreign minister tells NBC News. https://t.co/zc4GFxd0Z0

— NBC News World (@NBCNewsWorld) December 10, 2024