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Russia reveals how it smuggled ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad out of Syria
Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s allies have confirmed for the first time today that Russia helped President Bashar al-Assad flee Syria to Moscow.
Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, claimed that Assad was transported out of Syria ‘in the most secure way possible’ over the weekend.
This comes as sources close to the Russian government said its agents persuaded Assad to flee as he would lose a fight with the rebels.
The sources told Bloomberg News Moscow organised for Assad to escape via its air base on the Syrian coast.
He was reportedly ordered to tell no-one, switch his transponder off, and get on a s private plane in the capital Damascus.
Speaking to NBC News, Mr Ryabkov said: ‘He is secured, and it shows that Russia acts as required in such an extraordinary situation.’
And when asked if Moscow would hand Assad over to the International Criminal Court, he implied they would not, saying Russia ‘is not party to the convention’ that established it.
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity – with the US rejecting the decision.
Human rights groups have also previously accused Assad of war crimes such as using chemical weapons on civilians.