Five Russian men who fled Russia following the government’s military mobilization order last September have been stranded at South Korea’s Incheon International Airport for months after authorities refused to accept them.

Three of the men arrived at the airport last October and two in November, according to their lawyer Lee Jong-chan. But since the South Korean Justice Ministry rejected their asylum claims, they have been in the airport departure lounge for months waiting for their appeal to be resolved, according to Lee.

“They get one meal a day, which is lunch, but the rest of the day they live on bread and drinks. They can shower, but they have to wash their clothes by hand and can’t leave the departure and tax free. , Lee told CNN. “They have limited access to health care, but no mental health support, which is important given their precarious situation,” he added.

A press release issued last month by a South Korean human rights group called on the government to honor the men’s candidacies, saying they refuse to become “instruments of assassination” and that, if they return to their country, “it is very likely that they will be detained or forcibly recruited.”

South Korea’s Justice Ministry dismissed their claims as “unworthy of assessment, arguing that denial of conscription is not grounds for recognition of refugee status,” according to Lee, who reviewed the document from the ministry.

Lee argues that the refusal of men to serve in the military “must be recognized as a political reason given the current situation that the war [en Ucrania] is condemned by international law. »

“[Los hombres] they are political refugees at risk of persecution,” the activist group’s press release reads, adding, “Those claiming refugee status fleeing political and religious persecution in their home countries are entitled to protection under of international law. …As a developed and democratic state guaranteeing human rights, Korea [del Sur] quietly turned back refugees who opposed the war.

The men have appealed the decision, and three of them will face their first court ruling on January 31, during which the court will decide whether their cases are “worthy of consideration”, according to Lee. If the court rules in your favour, the Department of Justice will have to consider your refugee status claims.

South Korea has conscription and takes breaks very seriously.