Russian family denied asylum in Finland fear reprisals for pro-Ukraine activism

Nikita and Olga Belov say they will be persecuted on return to Moscow but are yet to convince Finnish authorities

A Russian family faces deportation from Finland after repeatedly being denied asylum - despite the threat of arrest, imprisonment and potential torture for their pro-Ukrainian activism.

Nikita and Olga Belov fled their homeland in 2022 after attracting the attention of Russian authorities - including military summons, threatening messages and attempts to locate them - after expressing opposition to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.