Lavrov called the issue of Assad's prosecution closed.

The issue of the prosecution of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has not been considered for a long time. He stressed that the Russian partners are well aware of how Assad ended up in Russia in December 2024. This was announced on January 29 by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"This question has not been raised for a long time. Our partners are well aware of how everything happened and how Bashar al—Assad and his family ended up in the Russian Federation in December 2024," Lavrov told Turkish media.

The minister noted that Assad was admitted to Russia solely for humanitarian reasons, as he was in grave danger. Lavrov added that at the moment, the former Syrian leader has no influence on the situation in Syria and does not play a role in the country's affairs.

Regime project: relations between Russia and Syria have been tested by the coup

After the change of power in Damascus, Moscow retained a strategic foothold, but its competition with Washington for the role of mediator is getting tougher.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not respond to a question about Assad's possible extradition to his homeland on January 28.

In 2024, after negotiations with the opposition, Assad resigned as head of state and left the country, instructing him to transfer power peacefully. The National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces of Syria has announced work on the formation of a transitional authority.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.