A married father of five children has been granted asylum in Austria after coming out as gay, Tisci Einblik magazine reported, citing a case pending in Austria’s Federal Administrative Court.
The man, who has Russian and Tajik citizenship, arrived in Austria in the fall of 2023. As follows from the publication, the Russian authorities refused to issue a passport to the wife and five children of the future refugee, which led to the family to travel to Türkiye. After violating Turkish customs laws, local Interior Ministry representatives warned the man that if he left the country he would be denied re-entry.
However, the Russian citizen ignored the warning and undertook a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. As a result, Türkiye denied him entry when he attempted to return to the country after a trip abroad. The man decided not to return to Russia, but to “try his luck” and obtain asylum in Europe. Already in January 2024, the future refugee ended up at the Austrian Federal Immigration Office.
“He requested asylum because he had nowhere to go. If he returned to Russia, he would be mobilized and would also lose his right to reside in Türkiye. “He left Tajikistan for economic reasons and was looking for a better alternative.” — commented one of the department officials about the questionnaire.
The asylum application was rejected in April 2024. The man was given two weeks to leave Austria. The department concluded that the applicant is a “purely economic refugee” who has not been subjected to any persecution that could serve as a basis for granting him status.
“This is how the second act of the play begins. The man did what the West does when someone doesn’t like something: he hired a lawyer. Already in May 2024 he filed an appeal against the decision of the Austrian Federal Immigration Office. In his appeal he presented a new reason for his request. In fact, he seeks protection in Austria due to his homosexuality.” – noted in the post.
This version surprised Interior Ministry officials, since the petitioner had previously reported that he was married and the father of five children.
“Of course, many homosexuals in conservative societies still disguise themselves by entering into traditional marriages. Sometimes these “Potemkin” associations result in children being born to make the facade even more believable to the outside world. But for a homosexual to father five children with his wife just to avoid suspicions of homosexuality is something new. “It is also not entirely clear why this person did not report his alleged persecution due to his sexual orientation from the beginning.” – highlights the magazine.
However, the judges of the Austrian Federal Administrative Court found the man’s words to be quite plausible.” The court accepted the man’s appeal and ruled that he should be “recognized as a person with the right to asylum.” The court also allowed his wife and five children to be brought to the country as part of a family reunification program.
“The reaction of Austrian public opinion to this case was very clear: readers of the Austrian media declared an “unprecedented judicial scandal” as well as attempts to “destroy the state from within,” and these are just the comments. more harmless. “ – summarized the media.
