Tajik activist denied asylum in Poland

He was deported from Russia, and in his native Tajikistan, according to him, he is being threatened with death.

Photo: Internet

The Polish authorities denied refugee status to Russian activist of Tajik origin Saidanvar Sulaymonov, known as “Sasha Pechenka.”

The Insider, citing Saidanvar Sulaymonov, reports that the Polish authorities did not see any facts in his biography indicating that it was dangerous for him to return to his home country, and for this reason, they denied him asylum. However, according to him, he will appeal to the relevant authorities in Poland with a new petition.

“The denial was because allegedly I am not being persecuted in Tajikistan, there is no formal evidence. The special services of Russia and Tajikistan work together, I really face prison if I go to Tajikistan. The special services came to my parents’ home, inquired about my whereabouts. They came from the military enlistment office and law enforcement agencies. They do not provide any documents that I am involved in any case; they just come, question neighbors, and try to find out where I am and what I am doing,” says Sasha Pechenka.

According to the Russian-Tajik activist, he may also be persecuted in Tajikistan not only by the authorities but also by local pro-Islamic religious activists because he was an admin of the Instagram project “Atheism.tj,” as he received a lot of threats — that he would be killed, stabbed, or have his head cut off.

Sulaymonov also says that in Tajikistan, he regularly receives threats from 3–5 people because he actively supports the LGBT community and feminism.

According to him, “there are many cases of guys from Moscow, Kyiv, even Germany, when cases were quickly initiated after deportation to Tajikistan. They are sentenced to 20–30 years.”

Saidanvar Sulaymonov lived in Russia since 2008. In Russia, he worked in the election headquarters of Andrey Pivovarov, who is currently in prison. This attracted the attention of the authorities — the FSB banned him from entering Russia for the next 40 years without explanation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sasha Pechenka worked as a paramedic in a specialized hospital in Moscow but was fired after posting a photo with a flashlight — it was an action in support of Alexei Navalny.

Now in Poland, this civic activist works as a journalist and also volunteers at the border with Ukraine, helping Ukrainian refugees.