Moscow: Even before the rebels captured Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country to Russia. Various speculations are being made regarding his entire journey from Damascus to Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview that Bashar al-Assad was transported to Russia very safely. The Kremlin said on Monday that President Vladimir Putin had decided to grant Assad asylum in Russia. It is not yet clear which of Bashar al-Assad’s family members have arrived in Russia along with him. What the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister told Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview to NBC News, “He is safe, and this shows That Russia acts as necessary in such an extraordinary situation.” He said he would not elaborate on “what happened and how it was resolved.” Asked whether Russia would hand over Assad for trial, Ryabkov said: “Russia is not a party to the convention that established the International Criminal Court.”How did Syria’s Assad get to Russia?According to one report, Bashar al-Assad Russia had made detailed plans to evacuate it from Syria. Sources said that Russia had also checked this plan several times, so that there was no possibility of any major mistake. A Russian oil tanker IL-78 was specially kept ready to evacuate Assad from Syria. This aircraft was stationed at Damascus International Airport. The operation to evacuate Assad was started as soon as the rebels entered Damascus. Assad, who left Syria in a Russian plane, was taken from the presidential residence to Damascus International Airport under tight security. Dozens of vehicles were present under his security. At that time the airport was occupied by Syrian government forces. Assad and his family were quickly loaded onto the plane with essential supplies and it took off for Russia within minutes. During this time, a rumor was spread that the plane carrying Assad had crashed, although it was all a conspiracy to divert the attention of the rebels. Russia supports Syria from the beginning. Moscow has supported Syria since the early days of the Cold War. . Russia recognized Syria’s independence in 1944, when it tried to end French colonial rule. The West saw Syria as a Soviet satellite. On Tuesday, Syria’s new interim leader announced he was taking charge of the country as acting prime minister with the support of former rebels who ousted Assad from power.
