Сroatian court denies political asylum to five Chechen refugees

In Croatia, the court denied political asylum and international protection to five refugees from Chechnya who fled Russia, being unwilling to take part in the war against Ukraine.

This is reported by RFE/RL’s Kavkaz. Realii with reference to the representative of the Assembly of Chechens in Europe, Isa Daduyev, Ukrinform saw.

"The interpreters who participated in the court session said that the refusal was issued without any evidence being examined. It was based only on the assumption that the applicants were Islamist extremists," Daduyev said, calling the decision "very biased."

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He added that Chechen refugees could be deported back to Russia.

Chechnya natives, who are currently in transit in Croatia, cited their unwillingness to participate in the war against Ukraine as one of the reasons behind their emigration. Currently, they remain in the migration center, from where they could be released to travel to another country. At the same time, they may be deported to Russia. However, the final decision of Croatian authorities on their relocation is yet to be seen.

As reported earlier, Croatia will allocate EUR 500,000 worth of assistance to Ukraine.