For an assassination attempt against its ousted dictator Syria Bashar al-Assad says a Russian Telegram channel.

It is noted that the former dictator of Syria is under the protection of the Russian president Vladimir Putin in Moscow since December 8 of last year.

But the General SVR channel – supposedly run by a former top spy at Russia – reports that he got sick on Sunday. The channel claims that 59-year-old Assad sought medical help and almost immediately began “coughing violently and choking”. “Assad was given water, which helped relieve his condition, but his breathing did not return to normal and he suffered from headaches and abdominal pain,” the channel added.

The channel’s source said: “There is every reason to believe that there was an assassination attempt.”

Assad was reportedly treated at his apartment and his condition was said to be stable on Monday, with reports of poison in his system.

“By the time doctors arrived, the former Syrian president’s condition had worsened. Assad’s condition was immediately reported to representatives of the Russian leadership. While doctors administered first aid to Assad, they were instructed to treat him at home if possible and not to place the “patient” in medical institutions. After first aid was administered, doctors received “reinforcements” and a treatment room was set up in Assad’s apartment. As of Monday night, according to the treating doctors, Bashar al-Assad’s condition is stable and he feels normal. Tests showed the presence of a poisonous substance in his body. An investigation is underway, but so far it has not been possible to establish how Bashar al-Assad was exposed to the poison,” the General SVR channel reports.

It is noted that the sources are not specified and there was no confirmation from Russia.

Last month it was revealed that Al-Assad’s wife Asma had been effectively barred from returning to the UK. The 49-year-old – who was born in London – will not be able to return to her home country as her passport has expired.

Asma, her husband and their family now live in exile in Moscow. The pair fled after their regime collapsed, as Assad’s two decades in power were wiped out within days by rebels.

Russian President Vladimir Putin – a friend of the family – offered them refuge. But since their exile, there have been reports that Asma wants to return to the UK – and may even file for divorce.