Russian 'Putin mask' activist claims asylum in Ukraine

Roman Roslovtsev, known for protesting against Russian president Vladimir Putin in a Putin mask, crossed into Ukraine from Belarus.

He told local television he was seeking asylum because of persecution by the Russian security service.

Ukraine's border agency said that an application for asylum was being reviewed by migration authorities.

The agency published a statement which did not name Mr Roslovtsev, but said a "famous Russian writer and public figure" known for protest activities had applied for asylum.

Mr Roslovtsev, 36, has been detained as least nine times by Russian authorities after walking in Moscow's Red Square in his Putin mask.

Authorities say his actions breach Russian protest laws. Mr Roslovtsev says he is protesting the exact laws which are cited in his arrests, which he describes as "absurd".

Born and raised in Moscow, he trained as an accountant before choosing to protest against Russia's actions in Ukraine.

He has also said he is protesting against Article 212.1 - a controversial Russian statute which allows people who breach protest laws to be jailed for up to five years.

Moscow remains at odds with Kiev following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its alleged support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

(BBC)