Finnish court rejects Russian queer asylum seeker’s appeal

Finland’s Administrative Court has rejected Vasili Marinin’s appeal against a deportation order, leaving the decision to return him to Russia in force, Yle reported.

The court found his asylum application unfounded. It said that although life in Russia could be harder for him as a member of a sexual or gender minority than in Finland, he would not have to suppress his identity to such an extent that his life there would become intolerable.

Marinin has also been given a two-year ban on entering Finland, other European Union member states and the Schengen area. Yle said it had seen the court’s decision.

The ruling came after Yle reported on Russian LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who have been denied asylum in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service has said sexual and gender minorities are not in danger in Russia and can turn to the Russian police if necessary.

Marinin said he initially felt despair, anger and fear after learning of the decision, but did not let those feelings overwhelm him. He said he distinguishes between people living in Finland and the country’s legal system, and finds it difficult that asylum laws and legal practice do not reflect residents’ views.

Marinin has lived in Finland for four years. He said he remains positive towards Finnish people and is grateful that he can openly and safely express love for those close to him. He plans to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court and, if necessary, take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.