Alexander Frolov died in Acton on 28 July aged 26. Friends believe he killed himself, saying that long and distressing delays to his ongoing refugee claim left him feeling hopeless.
Russian exiles living in the UK have warned of the mental strain facing anti-Putin demonstrators who become stuck in British legal limbo and fear jail if forced back home.
His friend, Galina Shakirova, said he intended to “earn some money and see another country.” But when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he could not return home because he “refused to take part in killing people,” she said.
Alexander Frolov joined demonstrations like this one by the Russian Democratic Society (Photos: Galina Shakirova / Getty Images)
In a statement, the Russian Democratic Society said that Frolov “was a dedicated opponent of Putin’s regime, a volunteer who gave his time to help others, and a constant presence at anti-war protests.
Shakirova met Frolov, whom she knew as Sasha, while they served as stewards at an anti-war rally. He was “kind, generous, quietly dependable” and they bonded over “quiet resistance.”
Explaining the risks, Shakirova said: “Many of us have protested regularly in front of the Russian Embassy in London, under CCTV and media coverage. We appear in numerous photos, videos and livestreams that circulate on social media and in news outlets. This makes political persecution upon return to Russia a very real risk.”
Galina Shakirova met Alexander Frolov at an anti-war protest in London (Photo: Galina Shakirova)Immigration lawyer Lusine Navasardyan, who has advised more than a dozen Russian asylum seekers in recent years, is aware of applicants being rejected despite having previously been detained and tortured in Moscow, after taking part in pro-democracy protests.
Navasardyan, director of CVS Solicitors, said: “The Home Office would accept that they participated in those demonstrations but then say: ‘You’re low profile, they won’t touch you,'”
However, she believes the Home Office is speeding up its processes and has become more considerate in recent months of the risks that Russian protesters can face.
Russian exiles in the UK have regularly protested against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases.” Officials say they work hard to identify and support the most vulnerable asylum seekers.
“I can say this honestly – in May last year, I was ready to end my own life. I had reached that point because of the same reasons that affected Sasha: hopelessness, exhaustion and the overwhelming pressure of the asylum process.”
“Then you ask for protection – hoping for safety, for a chance to survive. And instead, you’re refused.”
Russian protesters often remove the red from their country’s flag as an anti-war statement (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Asylum seekers receive an allowance of £49.18 per week. They are banned from working unless their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, when they become eligible to apply for permission, and are encouraged to undertake volunteering instead.
But ministers believe this could enable economic migrants to bypass the process for work visas, acting as an incentive for people to enter the UK illegally via dangerous Channel crossings.
The organisation has declared: “The war against Ukraine is criminal, the current Russian political regime is illegitimate, imperialism is unacceptable, and political persecution and forced displacement of Ukrainian citizens must be stopped.”
For confidential emotional support, Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org
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