A Russian anti-war activist is facing the prospect of deportation from Canada after her citizenship application was blocked on the grounds that her blogposts had broken Moscow’s harsh laws criminalizing criticism of the invasion of Ukraine.

The decision, first reported by the CBC, which has baffled immigration lawyers, faults Maria Kartasheva over criminal charges leveled by Russian prosecutors, even though her dissent mirrors Canada’s foreign policy.

Kartasheva, founder of the Russian Canadian democratic alliance, fled her homeland in 2019 amid concern over Vladimir Putin’s growing crackdown on dissent .

Justin Trudeau’s government has been deeply critical of the Russian state, sanctioning many officials – including the judge who oversaw Kartasheva’s arrest in absentia.

In December, Canadian officials told her in a letter that her conviction in Russia aligns with a criminal code offence relating to spreading false information.

Another expert, the University of Toronto law professor Audrey Macklin, said the case appeared the result of an “over-zealous” citizenship officer and questioned the decision to pull her during the ceremony.

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[–] Tosti@feddit.nl 20 points 10 months ago (2 children)

So, Russia creates draconian anti dissent law, charges dissenters with it and because of thelat charge they cannot become Canadian. Does that mean she can apply for asylum?

[–] yeather@lemmy.ca 9 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It probably was an automatic system that rejected her on the grounds she is technically on the run.

[–] Tosti@feddit.nl 3 points 10 months ago

Haha.. that's an excellent point. Little Britain was ahead of its time.

[–] jabathekek@sopuli.xyz 4 points 10 months ago

words look same, mean same

-The Canadian Immigration Officer probably