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Tortured Protester Bulatov Considering Asylum In EU


Dmytro Bulatov
Dmytro Bulatov
A Ukrainian opposition activist who fled to Germany after being abducted and tortured last month says he may seek political asylum in the European Union.

Dmytro Bulatov went missing in January and resurfaced after more than a week -- badly beaten and with part of his right ear cut off.

Speaking in Berlin, where he is receiving medical treatment, Bulatov said he cannot return to Ukraine because of criminal charges filed against him there by authorities.

Activist Describes Abduction, 'Unbearable' Torture

Bulatov -- a founder of the Automaidan protest group -- said on February 15 he thinks a pro-Russia group was behind his abduction.

He says his kidnappers “spoke Russian, with Russian accents,” and even though he was blindfolded, he “knew they were professionals.”

His tales of torture raised fears among opposition activists that Ukrainian authorities are employing organized criminal groups to intimidate them.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP

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