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.
