Russian anti-war movement sets up ‘consulate’ to fight deportation of Russians abroad

An anti-war movement led by Russian opposition figures in exile has set up its own “consulate” aimed at helping Russians living abroad who are facing deportation.

The Russian Anti-War Committee, created by exiled oligarch-turned-opposition-activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, pledged to provide support and legal aid to anti-war Russians who had been forced into exile.

Specially appointed “consuls” would assist anti-war Russians in exile threatened with extradition or deportation who faced “a real threat of political persecution and detention” if forced to return to Russia, the committee said.

Volunteer consuls would be able to verify cases of political persecution, help those being refused refugee status, discuss an individual’s case with the media or local authorities, and contact human rights organisations or lawyers on a person’s behalf, the committee continued.

The consulate is made up of well-known anti-war Russians living outside of Russia including former State Duma deputy Gennady Gudkov, legal scholar and Free University professor Yelena Lukyanova, and editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta Europe Kirill Martynov.

As the Russian Anti-War Committee was deemed an “undesirable organisation” in January, the consulate was unable to assist those still residing in Russia in leaving the country, nor could it offer financial support, the committee said.