A video clip from a birthday party in Moscow has brought Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria’s former representative to the United Nations and former ambassador to Russia, back into the spotlight, sparking a wave of criticism and controversy among Syrians on social media over his appearance in a celebratory setting alongside figures linked to the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Scenes from a party in Moscow
Jaafari appeared in a clip posted by Syrian media figure Akram Khuzam from his birthday party at a restaurant in the Russian capital. The clip included scenes of singing, applause and eating dessert.
Comments circulating online ranged from questions about the circumstances of Jaafari’s presence in Russia to criticism of his participation in the event. Some commenters described the scenes as provocative to Syrians who continue to live with the repercussions of years of war and the previous rule.
Criticism over his invitation and participation
Syrian journalist Haseeb al-Zeini said he initially could not believe that the person shown in the clip was Jaafari, considering his invitation to the party to be “a trampling of Syrians’ feelings.”
He lost the interview deal and gained the Syrians’ ire.
According to al-Zeini, Khuzam justified inviting Jaafari in one of the groups by saying it was part of an attempt to conduct a journalistic interview with him and that he had been prepared to play the role of “the devil’s advocate” during it. He added that Jaafari took part in the party atmosphere without agreeing to the interview.
Al-Zeini also criticized some media professionals for putting the requirements of their profession ahead of people’s feelings, warning against using professional commitment as a justification for disregarding moral responsibility. He stressed that journalism and the media are “above all, ethics and responsibility.”
Political analyst Dr. Mahmoud Ahmad Hafez, for his part, described Jaafari’s appearance as an exercise in “goblet diplomacy” after he left his official duties, saying the scene reflected the end of a political career associated with the previous regime.
Syrian activist Omar Madania also said that Jaafari and a number of Assad regime officials appeared to be “dancing in Moscow with the Syrian people’s money,” criticizing the atmosphere shown in the clip.
Back in the spotlight after an absence
The video brings Jaafari back into the spotlight after his absence from the public scene and the scarcity of information circulating about his movements, amid broader controversy over the fate of former regime officials living outside Syria, particularly in Russia, and calls for those involved in violations during the years of the regime’s rule to be held accountable.
Jaafari served for years as Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York and took part in Security Council sessions and negotiations on a political solution to the Syrian war, defending the positions of the Assad regime.
In 2020, he was appointed deputy foreign and expatriates minister, then later moved to Moscow as Syria’s ambassador to Russia, continuing to represent Assad’s government until the regime fell in December 2024.
After that, Jaafari disappeared from public view amid reports that he had remained in Russia, before appearing at the latest party in Moscow.
