Russian opposition activist seeks asylum in Sweden
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 August 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian opposition activist seeks asylum in Sweden, 13 August 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/521f4663d.html [accessed 21 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. |
August 13, 2013
By RFE/RL's Russian Service
A leader of Russia's opposition Left Front movement has asked for political asylum in Sweden.
Aleksei Sakhnin told Radio Sweden that he arrived in the country a month ago to avoid possible arrest in connection with the unrest on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square in May 2012.
Another leader of the Left Front movement, Sergei Udaltsov, and a Russian opposition lawmaker's aide, Leonid Razvozzhayev, have been officially charged with the organization of the mass unrest, which investigators say was orchestrated by a Georgian politician.
The anti-Putin rally turned violent and scores of demonstrators and police were injured.
The opposition blamed the violence on police provocateurs.
More than 30 people have been charged in connection with the unrest.
Two individuals have been convicted and the trial of 12 others is currently under way.
With reporting by sverigesradio.se
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
