Will Putin get rid of al-Assad? The uncertain future of the former Syrian dictator
The former ruler lives in seclusion in his luxurious apartment in the Russian capital. His wife Asma became seriously ill again. For Putin to maintain his military bases in Syria, he must offer the new authorities something in return. Will al-Assad be extradited?
Al-Assad has not been seen since he fled to Moscow. There were several reports that he was poisoned. It was, of course, a rumor. According to the findings of the Die Zeit newspaper, al-Asad lives in isolation in three of his 20 apartments in a modern district of Moscow. There are skyscrapers up to 374 m high. From time to time, al-Asad also stays in a secluded dacha near Moscow. He pays for his life with money that he stole from the Syrian people and regularly sent to Moscow during his rule.
Video games, alcohol, hookah and the hospital
Despite his wealth, al-Assad's life in Moscow is bleak. According to the Russian ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kutrashev, Putin placed strict conditions on the dictator's asylum: no speeches, no political activity. The price for this protection is absolute invisibility to the outside worldas “Die Zeit” writes. When al-Assad leaves his home, he is accompanied by private security guards paid by the Russian government.
First in power and in the spotlight for years – and now suddenly in hiding: how boring it must be! According to his former companion al-Assad spends hours playing online video games. Al-Assad's brother, Mahir, also doesn't know what to do with his time. He lives in the Four Seasons hotel, likes to get drunk and smoke shisha, writes “Die Zeit”.
According to rumors, al-Assad's wife, Asma, is in poor condition. After defeating breast cancer, she now suffers from leukemia. She wanted to fly to her old home in London to seek treatment and possibly escape her dreary life. However, she was refused entry. According to subsequent reports, she filed for divorce.
For Putin, Syria continues to be important
Russia maintains two bases in Syria: the port of Tartus providing access to the Mediterranean Sea and the Hmeimim airport for its air force. With the fall of al-Assad, Putin lost his most important ally in the Middle East.
Vladimir Putin, president, and Ahmad al-Shara, interim president of Syria, Moscow, October 15, 2025.EPA/ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO / POOL / PAP
In order for Russia to maintain strategically important positions, the new government will demand something in return. One of the conditions will likely be the extradition of al-Assad. On September 27, the Syrian Ministry of Justice announced that a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He is accused of premeditated murder, torture and inciting civil war. The new government wants to fulfill the promise made to the Syrians and bring to justice a man whose civil war cost the life of approximately 500,000 people. people.
Putin between a rock and a hard place
To pass or not? So far, the Kremlin does not seem willing to put al-Assad under the knife. In any case, Ambassador Kutrashev said that extradition was not an option.
Marcel Hirsiger, an expert on Russia at the University of Applied Sciences of Northwest Switzerland, also thinks so. Extradition would mean a loss of face for Putin, who has sided with al-Assad for too long. — Loyalty is very high in Putin's value system. His mentality of a backyard gangster from Leningrad rewards loyalty with lifelong loyalty, says Hirsiger, although he adds: – Putin has a dilemma.
After all, how does he plan to meet the demands of the new Syrian government? It is quite possible that he will find a solution and the rumors of poisoning will soon become a reality. After all, Putin not only has experience in this field, but also has complete control over his troubled fugitive.
