Russian activist seeks Spain asylum, citing threats
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 September 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian activist seeks Spain asylum, citing threats, 4 September 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/542ac70828.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 04, 2014
By RFE/RL's Russian Service
A prominent activist and gay rights advocate from St. Petersburg says she has left Russia after receiving death threats following her participation in a rally in support of Ukraine.
Natalya Tsymbalova, a founder of the group Straight Alliance for LGBT Equality, said on Facebook on September 4 that she is in Madrid and has lodged a formal request for political asylum in Spain.
Tsymbalova said she began receiving threatening telephone calls and text messages after she took part in a pro-Ukraine gathering in St. Petersburg on August 24.
She said her "hopes that it's possible to turn Russia into a normal country have withered" after Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March and the Kremlin, in her words, "totally zombified Russia's population."
Tsymbalova said she would continue "to fight for Russia" from abroad.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
