World
They fled Russia, but the West sent them back
Over the past year, Western nations including the US and EU member states have seen a stark rise in the deportation of anti-government Russian activists and dissidents seeking refuge. Despite the known dangers of returning to a nation where criticizing the government carries heavy prison sentences, hundreds of asylum seekers have been sent back. Upon arrival in Moscow, deportees have faced immediate interrogation by security services, military conscription papers, and in severe cases, lengthy prison terms or deployment to the war in Ukraine.