Khaberni - The German newspaper "zeit.de" published a new report in which it discussed what it called "the hidden life of the former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow", noting that he moves freely around Moscow, visits a shopping center, and plays computer games for hours.
The report, which was carried by "Yedioth Ahronoth," the Israeli newspaper, and translated by "Lebanon24," says that in December 2024, Assad fled to Moscow amid a military coup in the country that brought Ahmad Al-Shar'a to power in Syria.
"Yedioth" says that the German newspaper managed to reach Assad's hideout in the Russian capital, where he lives in a luxury skyscraper, while his family owns about 20 apartments distributed over 3 floors.
The report says that "under the mercy of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Assad pledged silence," and added: "It is said that Putin monopolizes information which ensures him complete control over Assad’s governance of Syria and his deep involvement in it. As a result, "the former dictator (i.e., Assad) keeps himself out of the limelight."
The German newspaper quotes a former old friend of the Assad family now living in Europe as saying that "Bashar al-Assad tried to eliminate him in the 2012 bombings, and a number of his personal guards were killed," indicating that he "decided to leave Syria as a result."
And the friend, called "K.," quoted from reliable sources that "Bashar al-Assad and his family move freely in Moscow, using personal guards from a private security company funded by the Russian government," and added: "Bashar lives in 3 apartments in a tower which has a shopping center below, and he visits it occasionally, as well as spending hours playing online video games."
The source reveals that Assad's wife, Asma, is in a very critical health condition, as she was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and recovered, but the disease returned to her in the spring of 2024 and her condition is now considered unstable."
Also, the source says that "Maher, Bashar al-Assad's brother, resides in the Four Seasons Hotel in the city, and spends his time smoking hookah."
