Putin pledges to assist in search for US journalist missing in Syria
Austin Tice's mother is said to have penned a letter to the Russian president concerning her son, who has been missing since 2012. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has committed to seeking information from the current and former leadership in Syria regarding the whereabouts of US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in the country 12 years ago.
During his annual Q&A session in Moscow on Thursday, NBC’s Keir Simmons posed the question of whether Putin would inquire with former Syrian President Bashar Assad about Tice's fate.
A US Marine Corps veteran, Tice vanished in Syria in August 2012 while reporting on the civil war. Reports subsequently indicated that Syrian authorities had detained him in southern Damascus, suspecting ties to the CIA. Earlier this week, NBC revealed that Tice’s mother had reached out to Putin in a letter requesting assistance.
Following the recent overthrow of Assad, new authorities led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have reportedly freed thousands of prisoners, including foreigners. A Reuters report from Monday noted that a significant search for Tice is currently underway.
“The current situation in Syria compels us to ask for your help in finding Austin and safely reuniting our family,” Debra Tice wrote, addressing Putin. “You have profound connections with the Syrian government, which can be a great benefit for our unrelenting efforts to find our Austin,” she added.
Putin has been a long-time supporter of Assad and granted him asylum after his ouster.
At the Q&A session, Simmons presented Putin with a copy of the letter and asked, “Will you ask President Assad for information about [Austin Tice] missing in Syria?” Although Putin noted he hadn’t seen Assad since the latter's arrival in Moscow after his ouster, he stated, “I'll be sure to talk to him.” He also acknowledged that a significant amount of time has passed since Tice’s disappearance and emphasized the chaotic nature of the civil war during that period. He expressed skepticism about whether Assad would “knew anything about a US journalist doing his job on the front line.” Nonetheless, he affirmed, “However, I promise that I will put this question to him. We can also put this question to the people in charge in Syria today."
Moscow indicated that it is in talks with the new leadership in Damascus.
US President Joe Biden previously remarked that Washington believes Tice is still alive but admitted the US has “no direct evidence” concerning his status.
In a related note, Russia played a role in securing the release of US freelance photographer Patrick Dawes in 2016 after he had been missing for four years. At that time, the Russian Foreign Ministry remarked that Dawes’ release followed a “personal request for assistance” from then-US President Barack Obama to Putin regarding the search for missing Americans.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
During his annual Q&A session in Moscow on Thursday, NBC’s Keir Simmons posed the question of whether Putin would inquire with former Syrian President Bashar Assad about Tice's fate.
A US Marine Corps veteran, Tice vanished in Syria in August 2012 while reporting on the civil war. Reports subsequently indicated that Syrian authorities had detained him in southern Damascus, suspecting ties to the CIA. Earlier this week, NBC revealed that Tice’s mother had reached out to Putin in a letter requesting assistance.
Following the recent overthrow of Assad, new authorities led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have reportedly freed thousands of prisoners, including foreigners. A Reuters report from Monday noted that a significant search for Tice is currently underway.
“The current situation in Syria compels us to ask for your help in finding Austin and safely reuniting our family,” Debra Tice wrote, addressing Putin. “You have profound connections with the Syrian government, which can be a great benefit for our unrelenting efforts to find our Austin,” she added.
Putin has been a long-time supporter of Assad and granted him asylum after his ouster.
At the Q&A session, Simmons presented Putin with a copy of the letter and asked, “Will you ask President Assad for information about [Austin Tice] missing in Syria?” Although Putin noted he hadn’t seen Assad since the latter's arrival in Moscow after his ouster, he stated, “I'll be sure to talk to him.” He also acknowledged that a significant amount of time has passed since Tice’s disappearance and emphasized the chaotic nature of the civil war during that period. He expressed skepticism about whether Assad would “knew anything about a US journalist doing his job on the front line.” Nonetheless, he affirmed, “However, I promise that I will put this question to him. We can also put this question to the people in charge in Syria today."
Moscow indicated that it is in talks with the new leadership in Damascus.
US President Joe Biden previously remarked that Washington believes Tice is still alive but admitted the US has “no direct evidence” concerning his status.
In a related note, Russia played a role in securing the release of US freelance photographer Patrick Dawes in 2016 after he had been missing for four years. At that time, the Russian Foreign Ministry remarked that Dawes’ release followed a “personal request for assistance” from then-US President Barack Obama to Putin regarding the search for missing Americans.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
