Russian Anti-War Activists Face Deportation from Finland Despite Persecution Risks

A Russian family faces deportation from Finland after repeatedly being denied asylum – despite the threat of arrest, imprisonment and potential torture for their pro-Ukrainian activism. Nikita and Olga Belov fled their homeland in 2022 after attracting the attention of Russian authorities – including military summons, threatening messages and attempts to locate them – after expressing opposition to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. [...] The Belov case is understood to be one of many of Russians being denied asylum in neighbouring Finland where legal experts deem their future risk and human rights have not been sufficiently assessed. [...] A Finnish immigration service spokesperson said it could not comment on individual cases. [...] Bill Browder [...] said the case is “a defining test of Europe’s commitment to protecting those who have risked everything to oppose Putin’s war”. [...] Antti Lehtinen [...] added: “The situation of each applicant is assessed individually, taking into account their personal circumstances. [...] If we assess that a person’s political opinion or activities place them at risk of persecution or serious harm in Russia, they will be granted international protection.”