Russian activist fears Trump influence on US asylum bid

Valeriia Razheva faces jail if she is forced to return to Russia

- BRYONY GOOCH

An anti-war campaigner who faces years in prison if she returns home to Russia is fighting to stay in the US.

Valeriia Razheva, 23, co-founded the US branch of the Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAWR) in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The movement has been labelled an “undesirable organisation” by Moscow, under a law that allows prosecutors to target foreign groups they deem “a threat to the foundation of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defence capability of the country or the security of the state”. Those affiliated with them can receive lengthy prison sentences if they fail to shut them down.

“According to the law, if you have a leadership position, you will face up to six years in prison,” Ms Razheva said. “People can be prosecuted and persecuted for simply donating $5 to an undesirable organisation and face charges of one to three years in prison.”

The activist moved to the United States on a J1 visa as part of the Year of Exchange in America for Russians programme four years ago. She was the first member of her family to relocate to the US and described America as “paradise”.