Russia did not find a basis to grant temporary asylum to journalist Kobra Hassani, who left Afghanistan after the Taliban, an organization banned in Russia, seized control of the country. This development was reported by Fontanka, citing a statement from Hassani’s international attorney on January 30.
Elena Fadeeva, the attorney, said she does not know the exact grounds the immigration service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs used to refuse asylum for her client.
“Hassani is already prepared for possible deportation to Afghanistan, but it is unclear what might await him there,” the lawyer noted. She added that not every client who initially sought asylum with Russian authorities could remain in the country. Some fugitives who entered Russia from neighboring states, including Belarus, ended up being sent back.
Hassani’s legal team had filed asylum claims in October 2022. Earlier that year, the journalist and several colleagues were detained by Federal Security Service (FSB) officers. Public attention focused on their attempts to reach the European Union by sea via a northern route, while in early February Hassani faced potential criminal charges for attempting to cross the border illegally.
Hassani had left Afghanistan in 2021 following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban’s takeover. He initially sought refuge in Ukraine, where he enrolled in a university but later moved toward Europe. Amid shifting regional dynamics and the onset of regional military operations, he found himself in Russia, seeking shelter and safety while continuing his work as a journalist.
Earlier, regional border authorities in the Nordic area reported a number of border violations, emphasizing the ongoing sensitivity of migration and border-control issues in this corridor. The broader context remains one of heightened scrutiny of asylum requests from individuals connected to war zones and political upheaval, with many cases highlighting the delicate balance between humanitarian protection and national sovereignty. (Fontanka)