The Telegram account General SVR is popular with British tabloids but has a less-than-perfect track record for truth.

Assad, the former President of Syria was allegedly poisoned in Russia's Moscow where he has been granted asylum. As per reports, the ousted Syrian President fell seriously ill this week and as per a social media account run by an ex-Russian spy,

Assad fled to Russia after a rebel alliance, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured Damascus following an 11-day offensive.

Assad’s rule over Syria is a stark example. He began his presidency in 2000 following his father’s three-decade presidency, In the beginning he was seen as a modernizing figure, but Assad’s leadership quickly became synonymous with authoritarianism,

The General SVR Telegram channel posted on New Year's Eve that two days earlier Assad had asked for medical help, after having trouble breathing and beginning to cough violently and choke. "There is every reason to believe that an assassination attempt was made on former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ,

Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was reportedly poisoned in his flat in Moscow. A Russian channel on Telegram conveyed this information. According to the media, former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad suddenly fell ill on Sunday in his Moscow flat.

Assad, removed from power by rebels, has been under the protection of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow since December 8 last year.

Assad, Syria's ousted leader, narrowly survived a poisoning attempt. Under Putin’s protection, Assad reportedly faced a life-threatening incident, leaving questions about his security. Watch.Bashar al-Assad Poisoned?