For the first time, France gave asylum to a person who had left the mobilization in the Russian Federation

For the first time, France granted political asylum to a Russian citizen fleeing mobilization for the war in Ukraine. The name of the Russian is not mentioned by the mass media at his request. It is known that he did not serve in the army, he graduated from one of the Russian universities with a military department, had a peace specialty, and after the announcement of partial mobilization in Russia, he received a summons, which he presented in court.

Yulia Yamova, a member of the Paris Bar Association, representing the interests of the plaintiff, told Kommersant newspaper that the decision to grant refugee status was made by the French National Refugee Court (CNDA). Earlier, protected person Yamovoi received a refusal of refugee status from the migration department and appealed against it in court.

“French officials could not believe for a long time that a man who had never served in the army and had not undergone appropriate training was subject to conscription and sent to the front,” Yamova said. However, according to her, the court took into account the documents provided by the plaintiff and the opinions of experts involved, who stated that the conscription campaign as part of the mobilization was conducted with numerous violations of the law.

The lawyer added that the court’s decision could become a precedent not only for Russians, but also for citizens of other states who ask for asylum in order not to participate in wars in their countries.

• In July 2023, the French National Refugee Court ruled that Russian citizens who evade mobilization, conscription in the Russian army or have deserted from it have the right to receive asylum in the country. In the court decision, it was noted that the mobilization announced by President Putin was not “partial”, but “wide”, and that it was practically impossible to refuse the call. At the same time, the very fact of being in the reserve, without receiving a document on mobilization or enlistment, will not be considered a sufficient reason for obtaining asylum.