Well-known Russian writer Roman Roslovtsev seeks asylum in Ukraine
On August 21, the State Border Service of Ukraine reported that "a well-known Russian writer and public figure" asked for asylum due to political persecution in Russia. As Novaya Gazeta reported, this man is Roman Roslovtsev.
As Roslovtsev explained in an interview to Hromadske Radio, he asked for political asylum in Ukraine because of persecution by the Federal Security Service (FSB). According to him, he can no longer continue his protest activities in Russia. He also added that he arrived in Ukraine carrying no personal belongings, as security agents were monitoring his home.
Roslovtsev repeatedly organized individual protests while wearing a mask of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In mid-June, the Tverskoy District Court of Moscow sentenced him to 30 days in jail. Roslovtsev was found guilty under article 20.2 part 8 of the Administrative Code (repeated infringement of the established order of organizing or holding a meeting).
Roslovtsev first became involved in protest activities in November of 2013 during the revolution in Ukraine.