Russian family granted refugee status in Strasbourg after anti-war dissent
The pair were targeted after a 12-year-old girl’s school drawing triggered a security probe, leading to her father’s conviction for discrediting the military.
A Russian father and his daughter have been granted refugee status in Strasbourg, France, following their exile from Russia due to their opposition to Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. The family’s displacement began in March 2022, shortly after the invasion launched in February, when 12-year-old Maria created an anti-war drawing at her school.
The incident prompted an immediate investigation by the Federal Security Service (FSB), which visited both the girl’s school and her family home. Maria was reported by those around her, escalating the scrutiny from local authorities into a formal security inquiry.
Her father was subsequently arrested for supporting his daughter and speaking out against the conflict. He was convicted of discrediting the Russian army, a charge that resulted in a sentence served in a penal colony. The specific duration of his incarceration was not detailed in the report.
Following his release from custody, the father and Maria left Russia. They have since established themselves as refugees in Strasbourg, a city that serves as a major hub for international human rights institutions, including the European Court of Human Rights.
The case was reported by Elena Volochine, with English adaptation by Lauren Bain for France 24, highlighting the legal and personal consequences faced by families opposing state policy in Russia.
