59-year-old Bashar al-Assad, who has been president of Syria for 25 years, was overthrown by opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) earlier this month. Thus, the 61-year-old Baath regime collapsed. Assad fled to Russia without even looking back. Moreover, it is said that he took 135 billion dollars with him when he escaped. Scenarios began to be created for Assad, who wondered what he would do in Russia. Russian MP Dmitry Kuznetsov said Assad should help rebuild the Donbass region.
“LET RUSSIA HELP”
According to Russian Today, Kuznetsov stated that Assad should contribute to the reconstruction of cities devastated by conflicts in the Donbass region.
RUSSIAN CITIZENSHIP FOR ASSAD APPEARS ON THE HORIZON
Kuznetsov also argued that Assad could be granted Russian citizenship if he made a positive contribution during his time in Russia.
“IT CAN ALSO BE MOVED TO ONE OF THE NEWLY BUILT HOUSES”
Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian parliament, Kuznetsov, said: “I think Mr. Assad and his family should engage in charity work and support the reconstruction of one of the war-torn regions of Donbass. “Mr. Assad can also move to one of the newly built houses in the city of Mariupol,” he said.
PUTIN GRANTED THE RIGHT TO ASYLUM
Russian President Vladimir Putin personally granted asylum to Assad and his family. The former Syrian President currently lives in the capital Moscow.
HIS SON WAS EDUCATED IN MOSCOW
Assad has neither appeared in public nor made any statements since leaving Syria. It remains unclear what steps he will take next. Hafez Assad, 23, the eldest of Assad’s three children, spent several years studying at Moscow State University.
RUSSIA IS TRYING TO REBUILD DONBASS
The port city of Mariupol is located on the Black Sea coast of the Donbass region, far from the area where conflicts continue. Russia has been making intense efforts to rebuild the city since taking control in 2022. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mariupol and met with the city’s residents.