Russians evading mobilisation request asylum in Switzerland for first time

Moscow residents Vyacheslav Donchenko and Ivan (his surname is not disclosed) have become the first Russian nationals to ask for asylum in Switzerland to evade mobilisation, attorney Vadim Drozdov told Novaya Gazeta. Europe.

According to him, both men contacted him for a consultation.

Donchenko wants to evade mobilisation for political reasons. The young man was born in Lviv; his father is Ukrainian and fought against Russian occupation back in 2014. Donchenko has attended anti-war rallies several times since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

In late September, the man decided to leave Russia. At first, he arrived in Helsinki using a Schengen visa, after which he came to Zurich. There, he applied to the immigration service to seek asylum.

Donchenko says he has never served in the army. He has a degree in construction engineering.

Ivan is a graduate of Schaffhausen Institute of Technology, a Swiss university. His visa expired on 29 September. On his return to Russia, he may be drafted. In order to avoid that, he applied to the Zurich immigration services for asylum.

“I love my country and its culture. But Putin’s decision on partial mobilisation has zero credibility. <…> Switzerland is a country where I feel safe. Judging by what is happening during the war in Ukraine, this won’t end fast,” Ivan explained his decision.

The attorney pointed out that refusal to get drafted should be recognised as a political belief. If a person is persecuted for their political beliefs, they are considered refugees in accordance with Article 1A of the 1951 Geneva Convention and can request asylum.

“Asylum seekers would possibly have to follow criminal orders or commit war crimes: this circumstance raises the question of whether their extradition is acceptable,” Drozdov pointed out.

Earlier, Germany stated that draft evasion and desertion of Russians can be considered a valid reason for a positive decision regarding an asylum claim in Germany. Russian citizens evading the draft can apply for asylum, not a humanitarian visa.

Ivan Ruslyannikov