Russian anti-war family wins appeal against deportation from Finland

A Russian mother and son who faced deportation

A Russian mother and son who faced deportation from Finland after their asylum claims were repeatedly rejected, despite their anti-war activism putting them at risk of imprisonment and torture back home, have successfully appealed and will have their cases reviewed anew.

Nikita Belov and his mother, Olga Belov, left Russia for Finland in 2022 after their vocal opposition to the invasion of Ukraine drew unwanted attention from the authorities, including a military conscription notice, threatening messages, and efforts to track them down.

The family's legal ordeal has highlighted the precarious situation faced by Russian dissidents who flee to neighboring countries, only to encounter strict asylum policies that often overlook the dangers they would face upon return.

In their latest legal victory, the appellate court

In their latest legal victory, the appellate court ruled that the previous decisions failed to adequately consider the specific threats posed to the Belovs, citing the heightened risks associated with their public stance against the war.

The case has drawn attention from human rights groups, which argue that Finland and other EU nations must do more to protect those who have opposed the Kremlin's aggression, especially as the war continues to rage in Ukraine.