The Russian president has stated he’ll inquire in regards to the destiny of Austin Tice, who vanished within the nation 12 years in the past
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to ask the previous and present management in Syria in regards to the destiny of a US journalist who went lacking within the nation 12 years in the past.
Throughout his annual Q&A session in Moscow on Thursday, Putin was requested by NBC’s Keir Simmons whether or not he would ask former Syrian President Bashar Assad for details about what occurred to Austin Tice.
Tice, an American freelance journalist and a veteran US Marine Corps officer, disappeared in Syria in August 2012 whereas masking the nation’s civil conflict. It was later reported that the Syrian authorities detained him in southern Damascus on suspicion of hyperlinks to the CIA.
After the overthrow of Assad earlier this month, the rebels, led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have reportedly launched 1000’s of prisoners, together with foreigners. A large search was launched for Tice, Reuters famous on Monday.
NBC reported earlier this week that Tice’s mom Debra had written a letter to Putin asking for his assist.
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“The present state of affairs in Syria compels us to ask on your assist in discovering Austin and safely reuniting our household,” Debra Tice wrote, as quoted by NBC.
”You may have profound connections with the Syrian authorities, which is usually a nice profit for our unrelenting efforts to search out our Austin,” she added, addressing the Russian chief.
Putin has lengthy supported Assad and granted him asylum following his ouster.
On the Q&A session on Thursday, Simmons confirmed a replica of the letter to Putin. ”Will you ask President Assad for details about [Austin Tice] lacking in Syria,” requested the NBC journalist. Putin answered that he hasn’t seen Assad because the latter arrived in Moscow following his ouster, however plans to take action. “I will be sure you discuss to him,” the Russian chief stated.
Putin identified that a very long time has handed since Tice’s disappearance and that Syria was gripped by a civil conflict on the time. He expressed doubt on whether or not Assad “knew something a couple of US journalist doing his job on the entrance line.” “Nonetheless, I promise that I’ll put this query to him. We are able to additionally put this query to the folks in cost in Syria at this time,” Putin said.
Moscow beforehand stated it was engaged in talks with the brand new powers in Damascus.
US President Joe Biden stated earlier this month that Washington believed Tice was nonetheless alive, whereas acknowledging that the US had “no direct proof” of his standing.
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In 2016, Russia helped safe the discharge of US freelance photographer Patrick Dawes, who had been lacking for 4 years.
The Russian Overseas Ministry stated on the time that Dawes’ launch was made potential after then US President Barack Obama despatched “a private request for help” to Putin for assist in trying to find lacking People.
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