Finnish Court Halts Deportation of Russian Family Opposed to Ukraine Invasion, Citing New Evidence
A Russian family, Nikita Belov and his mother Olga Belov, who fled Russia in 2022 due to their opposition to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have had their deportation from Finland halted. The family faced threats from Russian authorities, including a military summons and attempts to locate them, for their pro-Ukrainian activism. Despite these risks, the Finnish immigration service initially denied their asylum application, stating they faced “no real risk” if returned to Russia. However, an administrative court has now quashed this decision, citing new evidence, including extensive media coverage of their case in Finnish, Russian, and international outlets. The case has been referred back to the immigration service for fresh consideration. Since arriving in Finland, Nikita, 25, and Olga, 55, have actively supported Ukraine by sending humanitarian aid, including to the Ukrainian armed forces. This decision marks the first positive development for the family in four years, though they remain in a state ... 
