A POISONING attempt has been made on ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, it has been claimed.

The toppled Syrian tyrant has been under Vladimir Putin’s protection in Moscow since December 8 last year.

But online account General SVR — supposedly run by a former top spy in Russia — says he was taken ill on Sunday.

It claims Assad, 59, asked for medical help then almost immediately began to “cough violently and choke”.

The source said: “There is every reason to believe an assassination attempt was made.”

Assad was said to have been treated in his apartment and his condition supposedly stabilised on Monday.

Tests were reported to show he had poison in his system.

No sources were cited and there has been 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 be unable to return home as her passport has expired.

Asma, her weedy tyrant husband, and their family are currently living in exile on Moscow.

The couple fled the collapse of Syria as Assad’s two decades in power were wiped away in a matter of days by rampaging rebels.

Russian despot Vladimir Putin – a friend of the family – offered them refuge as they desperately escaped in the Middle East.

But since their exile, there have been reports Asma wants to return to the UK – and may even be seeking divorce.