Russian activist to ask for political asylum in Ukraine
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian activist to ask for political asylum in Ukraine, 16 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550940b41b.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. |
February 16, 2015
By RFE/RL's Russian Service
Russian civil rights activist Pavel Shekhtman plans to request political asylum in Ukraine.
Shekhtman told RFE/RL by phone on February 16 that he had fled to Ukraine after being sentenced to house arrest in Moscow on February 12 pending trial on charges of "inciting hatred and ethnic discord."
The case was launched in October after Shektman posted online articles supporting Ukraine's efforts to reestablish control over eastern parts of the country held by Russia-back separatists.
Shekhtman has long been critical of the Kremlin's record on human rights in Russia.
On February 14, Russian opposition activist Vladimir Malyshev said Shekhtman had left Russia and was in Ukraine.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
