Russia gives asylum to Afghans

Russia’s Interior Ministry has said it is ready to grant asylum to Afghan refugees under international law.

“The experience of the Russian Federation allows it to take the necessary measures to comply with international law if a large number of asylum seekers arrive,” Valentina Kazako, head of the Russian Interior Ministry’s immigration department, was quoted as saying by Sputnik.

“Over the past three years, more than 1,800 Afghans have applied for asylum in the Interior Ministry,” Kazakova said, noting that 880 Afghans had sought asylum in Russia as of October 1 last year. “At the same time, the total number of foreign nationals who have applied for asylum in Russia has exceeded 19,000.”

He added that in recent years, Afghanistan has traditionally been one of the top three countries whose citizens often apply for asylum in Russia, but Afghan citizens do not prioritize Russia for immigration.

“Russia has arranged special flights to repatriate Russian nationals as well as foreign nationals wishing to leave Afghanistan,” he said. “As a result, about 700 people, including 225 Afghan citizens, were evacuated.”