Germany has accepted only 90 Russian asylum seekers fleeing military service since the invasion of Ukraine began, despite receiving around 3,500 requests, German media group RND announced on Saturday.
The information comes in response from the Interior Ministry to a question from German left-wing MP Clara Bünger, who stated that she was aware that at least 1,500 Russian nationals of military age had applied for asylum in Germany as of this Saturday. since the beginning of the conflict, on February 24, 2022.
Of the processed applications, 90 were resolved positively, while in 1,100 cases the Federal Agency for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) determined that the case should be resolved by another European country, as this is the state of entry into the European Union (EU). is. .
“Deserts continue to enjoy international protection. People who are recruited into the military and refuse to serve will be granted international protection if the requirements for international protection are met,” the ministry said in response to the parliamentary question.
These requirements imply that the individual faces punitive measures in his country of origin for refusing military service, and according to the ministry, these are not enforced as often as in the case of deserters.
After Russia announced a partial mobilization in September 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that he was in favor of offering protection to potential conscientious objectors after subjecting them to protocol security checks.
However, most Russian asylum seekers arrive in Germany after passing through another European country, usually via Finland or the Baltic states, which are legally responsible for processing the case under the Dublin II mechanism.
However, the governments of these countries bordering Russia have announced that they will not welcome Russian defectors or conscientious objectors, thus finding themselves in a legal limbo.
“Lithuania will not grant asylum to those who simply shirk their responsibilities. The Russians must stay and fight [o Presidente Vladimir] Putin,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said at the time.
Source: DN
