Putin says he will ask al-Assad about missing US reporter Austin Tice

( Yahoo )

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had not yet met deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad since Moscow granted him asylum, but that he has plans to.

Putin, speaking at his annual end-of-year news conference on Thursday, said he would ask al-Assad about the whereabouts of US reporter Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria 12 years ago.

Putin granted asylum to al-Assad, who fled Syria as rebels closed in on Damascus, and his family this month. However, it is unclear where the family is staying.