Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has been rushed to a hospital in Russia following an alleged assassination attempt, according to reports.
Assad, 60, who was ousted from power ten months ago, had been granted political asylum in Russia, where he has been living under tight security.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that Assad was released from a Moscow-area hospital on Monday and said he was “poisoned” to “embarrass the Russian government and accuse it of being complicit” in his death.
The report described his condition as “stable” and said that his brother, Maher Assad, was allowed to visit him amid heightened security measures.
The Russian government has not commented on the reports, and details of the alleged incident remain unverified.
Earlier unconfirmed reports suggested Assad had been admitted to a hospital in a “critical condition” after the suspected poisoning.
Syrian authorities have requested Assad’s extradition, but Russia has so far refused to comply.
Assad, along with members of his family and close associates, has been living in Moscow under the protection of Russian President Vladimir Putin since December last year.
He has not been seen publicly since arriving in Russia and is reportedly kept under close guard by Russian security services.
An earlier incident, less than a month after his arrival, reportedly saw Assad feeling unwell and experiencing difficulty breathing.
This is reportedly the second alleged assassination attempt on Assad in the last ten months.
Last year, an online account called General SVR, allegedly run by a former Russian intelligence officer, claimed that Assad had been poisoned and treated at his Moscow apartment.
Tests were said to have detected poison in his system during that previous incident.
Assad and his wife, Asma, fled Syria as the country’s regime collapsed after two decades in power.
They reportedly escaped with the help of Russian authorities, who offered asylum to the former ruling family and their close aides.
The alleged poisoning has raised concerns about security for Assad even while in exile.
Reports indicate that medical teams responded promptly to the incident, although precise details of the poison or method remain unclear.
Moscow has not confirmed or denied any assassination attempt, maintaining official silence on Assad’s condition.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights continues to monitor the situation closely, releasing updates as information emerges.
Assad’s time in exile has been marked by speculation about his safety and ongoing threats from opponents.
His stay in Russia underscores the close relationship between the Assad regime and the Russian government.
