Abroad and wanted in Russia

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• How to check: a criminal record certificate via a consulate, the Interior Ministry 'wanted' database, Interpol's public Red Notices — see 'Check yourself'. CIS-channel searches bypass Interpol's filters.
• After a detention on an extradition request Russia usually has about 40 days to send papers. Apply for asylum at once and complain to the UN Human Rights Committee: its interim measures halted Movlaev's extradition from Kazakhstan.
• High risk, including in transit: Kazakhstan (Yemelyanova was detained changing planes in Almaty), Kyrgyzstan (Russian Interior Ministry office in Bishkek since 17 Aug 2026), Uzbekistan, UAE, Turkey.
• In 2026 Georgia resumed extraditions to Russia (5 people; on 18 Sep a court also cleared Timofeev, a Furgal aide) and refuses entry to some. Armenia does not extradite in political cases, but people were removed via the Gyumri base.
• Germany has effectively closed humanitarian visas for Russians and BAMF rejects deserters en masse. Rights groups advise applying for asylum with a lawyer and collecting evidence of persecution in advance.
• Where to turn: The Ark (Kovcheg), First Department, inTransit; if facing deportation — the 'Consuls' (mind the Anti-War Committee's designation). Kazakhstan Bureau — if you are already in Kazakhstan.

current as of September 25. More: First Department: extradition and deportation (foreign agent); Meduza: Kazakhstan has become dangerous for anti-war Russians (undesirable); The Moscow Times: deportation from Turkey (undesirable); The Insider: anti-war Russians denied asylum (undesirable); The Insider: Russia's Interior Ministry expands its office in Kyrgyzstan (undesirable); ISHR: the case of Mansur Movlaev; NewsGeorgia: Georgia resumes extraditions to Russia

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Most Interpol Red Notices are not public. A full request about yourself and a complaint go to the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) — see 'Check yourself'.
• Interpol's Constitution (art. 3) bars political cases. According to Interpol's internal data, about half of Russian files reviewed by the CCF did not comply with its rules.
• CIS-channel searches bypass Interpol's filters. Abductions are known in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia and Uzbekistan: people were lured to meetings or seized near bases.
• Rights groups advise not agreeing to 'business' meetings, telling someone close where you go, and keeping threats as evidence for the police and a lawyer.
• Digital security: the Access Now helpline (24/7, Russian spoken) and First Department guides.

current as of September 25. More: Interpol: CCF; Meduza: abductions in neighbouring countries (undesirable); OVD-Info: transnational repression (extremist)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Since 4 August 2026 the Ministry of Justice keeps a register of people abroad convicted in absentia under any Criminal Code article or fined under 'political' administrative articles: foreign agents, 'undesirables', 'discrediting the army'.
• People on the register cannot get a passport or register a marriage at a consulate, and notaries will not act for them. Gosuslugi, powers of attorney, self-employment, loans and property or car deals are closed.
• Income in Russia goes to a monitored account. Dependent relatives can receive a monthly payment from these funds.
• Lawyers usually advise acting in advance: a second passport, powers of attorney, property deals, moving savings, apostilles on diplomas and civil-status documents.
• You leave the register if the sentence is overturned, served, or you return. The register is still in test mode — see 'Check yourself'.

current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: new law for Russians abroad (extremist); ConsultantPlus: 284-FZ; Meduza: Putin signs the law (undesirable)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• In the US, Russian asylum seekers are widely held in ICE detention and deported; RADR estimates up to a thousand Russians are detained. There have been arrests straight after deportation to Moscow.
• Now: say you fear returning and are asking for asylum; demand a lawyer and an interpreter. Human rights groups advise signing nothing you can't read — especially consent to 'voluntary departure'.
• Tell your family your case number and where you are held. Keep copies of evidence of persecution with a trusted person outside Russia in advance.
• If removal is imminent: in Council of Europe countries a lawyer can urgently ask the ECHR for interim measures (Rule 39); in some countries, UN committees.
• Where to turn: RADR (US), UNHCR, GYLA (Georgia), PRO ASYL (Germany); if it's an extradition request — First Department and the 'Abroad and wanted' note.

current as of September 25. More: Boston Globe: the US is turning its back on Russian asylum seekers; First Department: extradition and deportation (foreign agent)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Since 1 September 2026 courts can freeze property of people abroad punished under certain 'political' administrative articles (foreign agents, 'undesirables', 'disrespect for authorities', sanctions calls, etc.): first accounts, then homes and cars.
• It's a freeze, not confiscation: you can't dispose of the property. The court decides within one working day, without the person present.
• With unpaid fines over 30,000 roubles, bailiffs can ban leaving Russia. Enforcement proceedings are listed in the bailiffs' database — see 'Check yourself'.
• Lawyers usually advise arranging powers of attorney, property deals and moving savings out of Russian banks in advance — before you're added to the 284-FZ register.
• If an account is frozen: some money is protected from seizure — OVD-Info explains how to get it back. Where to turn: First Department, Reforum Help.

current as of September 25. More: OVD-Info: seizure of emigrants' property (extremist); First Department: the law on seizing emigrants' property (foreign agent); OVD-Info: my bank account was frozen (extremist)

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

• Since January 2026 Kazakhstan has extradited and deported political émigrés, sometimes within hours, via minor offences like jaywalking. Since August 2026 Russia's Interior Ministry has had an office in Bishkek that exchanges data.
• Deal with the police and the KNB only through a lawyer. In Kazakhstan you can invoke Article 19 of the Constitution and not testify against yourself. Do not sign minor-offence reports without a lawyer.
• If detained on an extradition request, apply for asylum at once and file a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee asking for interim measures — this is how Movlaev's extradition was halted.
• Have a lawyer check your temporary or permanent residence permit: the KNB is checking forged permits. Without one you may stay 90 days in 180. Expulsion goes to the nearest country — from Astana, to Russia.
• Do not transit through Almaty, Astana or Bishkek: Yulia Yemelyanova was detained while changing planes in Almaty. Rights groups advise planning a move to a country with independent courts.
• Where to turn: Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights, The Ark (Kovcheg), inTransit; if facing deportation — the 'Consuls' (mind the Anti-War Committee's designation).

current as of September 25. More: Meduza: interview with KIBHR lawyer Artur Alkhastov (undesirable); Mediazona: Kazakhstan is no longer safe (foreign agent); The Insider: Russia's Interior Ministry expands its office in Kyrgyzstan (undesirable)