Two Russian opposition activists are seeking political asylum in the Netherlands and Germany, the Kommersant daily reported on Friday.
Alexander Dolmatov, a member of the unregistered party the Other Russia who was among 400 people detained during a May 6 opposition rally in Moscow, asked the Dutch government for asylum on June 13, the paper said.
Dolmatov said police searched his house and office following the rally, which was held on Bolotnaya Square in downtown Moscow on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as president on May 7. Dozens of people were injured as police clashed with protesters during the rally.
Dolmatov said he had attended the final interview with Dutch officials on Thursday.
“Their answer is likely to be positive because they have requested many documents and have checked everything very carefully,” he was quoted as saying.
Another activist, Anastasia Rybachenko from the opposition Solidarnost movement, decided to apply for asylum in Germany after police searched her house on Wednesday, the paper said.
She has already begun consultations with lawyers, it said.
Opposition supporters are planning to hold a rally on July 26 in support of those arrested during the May 6 demonstration.
Alexei Mayorov, the head of Moscow government department of regional security, said the Mayor’s Office would give an answer to an authorization request submitted by the rally organizers within three days.