27 December 2012, 18:00
Suren Gazaryan asks for political asylum in Estonia
Suren Gazaryan from Krasnodar, an activist of the "Ecological Watch for Northern Caucasus", who fears of persecution by the authorities of the Russian Federation, has appealed to Estonia with a request for political asylum.
Suren Gazaryan has said that, two weeks ago, he had filed an application for political asylum to the Department of Citizenship and Migration Department of the Department of Police and Border Guard of Estonia.
His application is to be considered in accordance with the Estonian laws for six months. "I will not estimate my chances; however, the experience of the other persons from Russia, who are there, was positive: no application was dismissed," the "BBC" quotes Suren Gazaryan as saying.
Suren Gazaryan has added that he has chosen Estonia, since its cultural environment is very familiar to him. At the same time, his family members are still in Russia, the "Eesti Rahvusringhääling" reports.
Officials from the very department, where Suren Gazaryan had filed his application, have refused to comment on the information and reminded about the law, which prohibits disclosing personal data of persons, who applied for asylum, the RIA "Novosti" reports.