In Danger Prominent Gay Civil Rights Protester Is Taken by Spain
The rally on Bolotnaya Square in May 2012 was violently dispersed by police. (file photo)
Prominent Russian gay rights activist Aleksei Kiselyov has reportedly been granted political asylum in Spain.
A fellow gay rights activist based in Moscow, Nikolai Alekseyev, said that Spain gave Kiselyov asylum and a five-year permanent resident permit.
Kiselyov participated in a protest against the reelection of President Vladimir Putin on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square in May 2012 that was violently dispersed by police.
Several activists who took part in the protest have been charged with organizing mass disorders.
Kiselyov told the group GayRussia on April 26 that he would return to Russia "only after Putin's dictatorship regime is gone."
Kiselyov also said Spain's decision shows it understood "the political nature of the events on Bolotnaya Square."
He is believed to be the first Russian activist to receive political asylum abroad in connection with the protest.
A fellow gay rights activist based in Moscow, Nikolai Alekseyev, said that Spain gave Kiselyov asylum and a five-year permanent resident permit.
Kiselyov participated in a protest against the reelection of President Vladimir Putin on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square in May 2012 that was violently dispersed by police.
Several activists who took part in the protest have been charged with organizing mass disorders.
Kiselyov told the group GayRussia on April 26 that he would return to Russia "only after Putin's dictatorship regime is gone."
Kiselyov also said Spain's decision shows it understood "the political nature of the events on Bolotnaya Square."
He is believed to be the first Russian activist to receive political asylum abroad in connection with the protest.
This is like the days that people protesting the communist government and the treatment of it’s people would be killed or sent to the Gulaj. Very few Lucky ones were permitted to go to nations that gave them asylum, particularly United States.
This is a civil Rights war in Russia and unlike here in the West the LGTB community is not winning. Most of the gays that were out on the street marching, were beaten up and now are back in their homes or in jail trying to figure out wether there is going to be civil rights for gay people in Russia.
I hope they don’t despair. Not too long ago there was also an iron curtain between the West and the East erected by the Russian government. That wall is no longer there. The last I heard they are starting the clean up to build high rise luxury apartments there.
Gay People are born everyday and one day justice will prevail. Just wait until one or a few high ranking Russian leaders birth some gay babies. Change will come from the top down.
We wish Aleksei luck and health. He is got balls bigger than the Kremlin.
Adam Gonzalez, Publisher
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