Russian writer Roslovtsev asking political asylum in Ukraine
Russian activist Roman Roslovtsev has claimed political asylum in Ukraine for reasons of persecution in his home country.
The Russian national asked for political asylum at the Novie Yarilovychy checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, a report posted on the Ukrainian State Border Service's website said. "He applied for a refugee status in Ukraine with the Chernihiv border unit due to political persecution in Russia," the report said.
The service did not disclose the applicant's name. "The Russian national is an acclaimed writer and an activist who has been energetically protesting against the political regime in Russia," the State Border Service said.
The Russian citizen has been referred to the Ukrainian Migration Service, it said.
According to the official website of Hromadske TV, it was Russian activist Roman Roslovtsev who explained his request with persecution by FSB.
"The reason why I have decided to claim asylum in Ukraine is the impossibility to continue protest activity in Russia. FSB officers were watching my house in Moscow, so I do not have any luggage, I have come here with nothing," he told Hromadske.
The activist said he would file a formal application with the Migration Service on August 22.
Roslovtsev born in 1979 began his protest activity in late 2013 following the shutdown of his alma mater, the St. Thomas Institute of Philosophy, Theology and History, and the beginning of the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine. He co-organized an action held in Moscow in 2014 on the first anniversary of 'Euro-Maidan'.
The media said Roslovtsev set a record of detentions by police - 21. Protocols on violation of the Russian Code of Administrative Offensives were composed in 16 cases.