Poland refused asylum to an activist deported from Russia

Poland refused to grant asylum to the Russian activist of Tajik origin Sasha Pechenka (Saidanvar Sulaimonov). In 2021, he was exiled from Russia for 40 years. Pechenka is a citizen of Tajikistan, Warsaw decided that nothing threatens his family.

Pechenka was denied access to Russia before the State Duma elections. He then worked in the campaign headquarters of the opposition politician Andrey Pivovarov. In Poland, an activist is engaged in volunteering: helping Ukrainian refugees.

On Facebook, he said that on February 21, when he was informed about the decision of the Polish authorities, his parents in Tajikistan were visited by members of the local special services. They, as it is said, were interested in where the activist is now.

Pechenka wrote that he would file an appeal against Warsaw’s decision. In an interview with The Insider, he stated that his family is in danger, he believes that local authorities and pro-religious Islamic activists can threaten him.

• On February 21, Roskomnadzor blocked the podcast of the DOXA magazine “Diary from Pshemysl” produced by Pechenka on the territory of Russia. In it, he talks about the refugee camp in Przemyśl and the history of the people who end up there.