Moscow: Assad's Reception on Russian Soil Was for Purely Humanitarian Reasons, Without Political Motives

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that the decision to receive former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Russia was made for purely humanitarian reasons, without any political motives.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said: "There was no political background behind our decision to receive him. This decision was taken solely based on humanitarian considerations under the dramatic circumstances of the change of power in Syria, where he and members of his family were threatened with execution."

Zakharova's statement came in response to a question about whether Russia had accepted Bashar al-Assad after a Damascus court issued a verdict in absentia sentencing him to death.

On August 11, the Damascus Criminal Court convicted Assad of premeditated murder of multiple individuals, torture, arbitrary detention, and crimes against humanity, and sentenced him to death.

Last January, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the new Syrian authorities have not raised the issue of prosecuting former President Bashar al-Assad, who is currently in Russia, for a long time.

Lavrov emphasized that Assad "plays no role in Syrian affairs," a fact acknowledged by observers.

Source: RT