The Abduction of Korean citizen failed

Yesterday, July 6, 2009 around 6 a.m. Moscow time (12 pm local time) in Blagoveschensk (Russia) Li Kuk Son was abducted. He is a North Korean citizen seeking asylum in Russia.

The officers of unidentified North Korean security services made him get into their car and left in unknown direction. Fortunately, neighbors noticed the license plate of the vehicle. Li Kuk Son's relatives applied to law enforcement officers who took immediate measures. The refugee was taken back. His physical condition is grave: he was severely beaten and threatened.    

Li Kuk Son has been leaving in Russia for already 13 years. He has a family here. His son is three years old. He wouldn't apply to Russian authorities for help and defense because he was afraid that he would be turned to the North Korean special services that act freely on the territory of Russia.

At the beginning of 2009 some North Korean citizens living in Blagoveschensk decided to apply for acquire refugee status. The advocate Lyubov Tatarets represents their interests.

All of them applied for the refugee status to the Federal Migration Service of Amur region so while the procedures are being held they have a legal status on the territory of Russia proved by official documents.

Official North Korean representatives have already tried to put pressure on Lyubov Tatarets.

The condition of North Korean citizens in Russia is a subject of special attention of UNHCR.

Public organizations dealing with the refugees are indignant at such illegal activity of Korean special services on the territory of Russia that try to take their citizens back to North Korea. We hope that law enforcement authorities of our country will manage to put an end to this practice.

The Head of "Migration and law" Network of HRC Memorial,
The Chairman of "Civic Assistance"
Svetlana Gannushkina

July 7, 2009