Vyacheslav Martynov was born in Krasnodar. Starting December last year, he has been one of the most active participants of the Kharkiv patriotic community.
“I want to stay here because I participated here in the events of Kharkiv’s Euromaidan between December and March, I have many friends and acquaintances here. The Ukrainian people are a kindred spirit. I like that the people have an active political position very much. I want to live in a country where civil society is being formed,” explains Vyacheslav Martynov.
Civil activists: certain autonomy would be necessary for Russia
However, the main reason he asked the Ukrainian migration service for refuge is prosecution in Russia. In the end of September, the main organizers of the March for the Federalization of Kuban Vyacheslav Martynov, Darya Poliudova and Petr Liubchenkov were added to the federal registry of extremists and terrorists for planning to hold the oppositional March for the Federalization of Kuban, and the Office of the Krasnodar Prosecutor pressed criminal charges of separatism against them.
“I personally think that certain autonomy would be necessary for Russia. We were hoping that this march would become some sort of beginning for our future activities,” Vyacheslav Martynov told Radio Liberty.
Vyacheslav Guz: there is a threat to his life in Russia
Darya Poliudova is now behind bars in Russia, and Petr Liubchenkov and Vyacheslav Martynov are trying to gain political refuge in Ukraine.
The main headquarters of the state migration service in Kharkiv oblast confirmed Martynov’s wishes to gain political refuge in Ukraine.
“According to the information he first provided the service with, several instances were no confirmed, therefore he received a refusal. However, after today’s meeting I understood that if he stays in the Russian Federation, there is a threat to his life. Illegal things may be committed against him. I take this case under my personal control and I will ask the state apparatus to approve his status,” noted the head of the Kharkiv headquarters on the state migration service of Ukraine Vyacheslav Guz.
However, it is not that simple. As Martynov was earlier officially refused political refuge in Ukraine, Vyacheslav filed a plaint to the Kharkiv district court in which he demands to consider this refusal illegal.
“They will ask to renew the term to examine the documents to grant him status. If the court refuses the plain, the migration service will examine a second plea under appropriate circumstances,” Vyacheslav Guz explained the legal aspects.
According to the head of the migration service, it is most likely that Russian Vyacheslav Martynov will be given the status of a refugee or a person in need of additional protection, which will allow him to live in Ukraine without any reservations.
At the moment the main headquarters of the state migration service in Kharkiv oblast is examining two other pleas for political refugee status from Russians.
