Former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad hospitalised

Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights suggest Bashar al-Assad has been hospitalised in Moscow following an alleged poisoning attempt.

Daily Mail report claims Assad was released from hospital on Monday, with his condition described as stable.

Assad, 60, who was granted asylum in Russia after being ousted in Syria nearly a year ago, has not been seen in public since arriving. Only his brother Maher has been permitted to visit him amid heightened security.

The motive behind the alleged attack is unclear, but it is believed to have been orchestrated to damage Russia’s diplomatic interests and implicate Moscow. The Russian government has yet to comment.

Syria’s new authorities have demanded Assad’s extradition, but Russia has refused. There are no confirmed reports of his condition being critical, although unverified reports previously indicated he felt unwell before his hospitalisation.

There is no independent confirmation of the poisoning at this stage. Further updates are awaited.