Arshak Makichian had hoped to be safe from Russian access in Berlin.

The 28-year-old from Moscow is committed to issues that in Russia at least earn the suspicion of the powerful: climate and environmental protection, feminism, peace.

After the attack on Ukraine and new repressive laws, it had become too dangerous for Makichyan and his wife, who is also an activist.

Frederick Smith

Political correspondent for Russia and the CIS in Moscow.

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Now Makichyan is worried because the tourist visas, with which both of them came to Germany in March, expire on June 20 and an extension is not in sight, despite numerous promises from the federal government, as in numerous other cases of Russians and Belarusians who before their regimes have fled.

In addition, proceedings will begin this Thursday in Moscow in which Makichian, who has Armenian roots, is to be stripped of his only citizenship: Russian.

Makichyan was part of the Russian offshoot of Fridays for Future, represented his country's small, beleaguered climate activists at summits in Madrid and Glasgow, and met Greta Thunberg.

Dozens of times he stood in central Moscow with placards and was often taken away.

The violinist, who graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, tried to change something politically, despite all the dangers.

Makichyan was not allowed to stand as a candidate in the lower house elections last September.

So he supported a women's rights activist;

but the mandate was given to a pro-Kremlin publicist who believes climate change is a conspiracy to “bring Russia under control”.

Makichjan feels that he is not being taken seriously

After the invasion of Ukraine, Makichyan became involved in opposing the war, which he calls that rather than a "special operation," as President Vladimir Putin's prosecutors are demanding.

For the wedding on February 24, coincidentally the day of the attack, Makichyan wore a white shirt with the inscription "Fuck the war", his bride wore the colors of Ukraine, a blue dress and a yellow bouquet.

Makichyan is also active in Berlin, where the couple is staying with friends, calling for an embargo on fossil fuels from Russia, for example with a sign in his hands that reads, with a view to Putin and the Germans: “We didn’t vote for him , you choose to pay him.”

Makichyan recently looked at his profile on the Russian government portal "Gosuslugi" to see the status of two administrative offense proceedings against him.

Then he saw a notice about a new civil proceeding.

Lawyers found out that his citizenship should be revoked.

Makichyan came to Russia from Armenia when he was one year old.

According to his lawyers, the authorities allege that documents submitted in 2004 contained false information;

they speak of "political persecution" and want to prove that Makichyan obtained Russian citizenship completely legally.

Lawyers told the FAZ that many immigrants would later have their citizenship revoked.

But this is "the first known case in which a political activist is deprived of his citizenship in this way".

Makichyan also sees the action as retaliation, but does not want to overestimate his influence.

In Germany he and his comrades-in-arms are "ignored", and in Russia he is "not a Navalnyj", he tells the FAZ. Millions of people follow the imprisoned opposition leader in the digital networks, Makichjan only thousands.

As a violinist, he was not taken seriously by the regime before, and as an ethnic Armenian he was often confronted with "Nazi views".

Above all, the trial that is now beginning is intended to intimidate Russian citizens of other nationalities, says Makichyan: The Ukraine war is making national minorities think about “Russian colonialism,” and the “show trial” is intended to put the dissatisfied in their place.

A “precedent with terrible consequences” threatens.

Then there are the visa and money worries.

As tourists, he and his wife are not allowed to work.

Makichyan recently sold his violin.

Instead of planning new actions, they meet lawyers who explore options to stay.

Everything is complicated, only one thing is clear: "I don't want to remain silent," says Makichyan.

"I keep fighting for a normal Russia."