In 1999 following the death of one of his friends in Chechnya Alex became active in demonstrating against the war (In 1999 Russian government forces killed numerous civilians through the use of indiscriminate force in Chechnya, and security officials' beatings resulted in numerous deaths) as a result he was arrested on four occasions. Beaten up on one occasion and on other occasions he had to bribe his way out.

His partner was beaten up in March 2000 by government supporters because of Alex's activities, this lead to the relationship ending. In September 2000 his workshop was burned out the case was reported to the police but no one was arrested and the authorities offered no compensation or help. Alex thinks that no proper investigation of the case was done and he ended up on his own. Without a job and in fear for his life he felt he had no choice but to leave Russia. He came to UK on 15th January 2001 and claimed asylum.

His appeal was dismissed in September 2004 on both Refugee Convention and Humanitarian grounds and he was asked to leave the UK. The Home office being of the opinion that Alex would not be at risk if he were sent back to Russia and the reasons he came to UK was purely economic. They also said he had not managed to develop a private life in UK between January 01 and September 2004 sufficient to engage article 8 of ECHR.

Immigration has not taken into consideration three and a half more years of Alex's life in the UK since his last appeal. On 21st October 2007 Alex received a letter from his daughter who lives in Ukraine telling him how worried she is for him and how "some men with military ID's were looking for him and questioned Alex's niece who lives in Moscow as to Alex's whereabouts.

Since coming to UK Alex settled himself in Bristol. Has studied and was currently studying at City of Bristol college obtaining NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations, with particular reference to electrical wiring. Obtained level 2 and was studying for level 3 and speaks fluent English.

For the past 7 years Alex has regularly attended church, the Orthodox Community of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Bristol. Where he has demonstrated considerable skills as a carpenter and electrician and has became an active and valued member of the church community. He has been volunteering for Refugee Action a charity organisation, since March 2004 for one day a week helping caseworkers dealing with newly arrived asylum seekers. His work at Refugee Action alone is equivalent to 1400 hours. He is also a member of a local Red Star amateur football club.



We the friends and colleagues of Alex have set up a campaign to lobby the Secretary of State and British Airways to try and stop this inhuman act of deportation of such a valued member of our community.

What you can do to help!

1.) Please send faxes/Emails, immediately to Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith, Secretary of State for the Home Office asking that AlexandreSidenko be granted protection in the UK. Attached "model letter" AlexandreSidenkoJS.doc you can copy/amend/write your own version (if you do so, please remember to include the HO ref S1101753).

Fax: 020 7035 3262 (00 44 20 7035 3262 if you are faxing from outside UK)

mailto: homesecretary.submissions@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

From Monday 14th January onwards to Wednesday morning
2) Fax Willie Walsh, Chief Executive Officer British Airways and urge him not to carry out the forced removal of Alexandre Sidenko - attached model fax AlexandreSidenkoBA.doc. You can copy, amend or write your own version - please include all the details. Forced Removal of Alexandre Sidenko, on British Airways Flight BAo874 from Heathrow Airport @ 12:25 to Moscow on Wednesday 16th January.

Fax: : 020 8759 4314 - from outside the UK + 44 20 8759 4314

Please notify the campaign of any faxes sent to Jacqui Smith or BA

Parish Secretary: Anthony Hearn
Eastern Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God
University Road
Bristol BS8 1SP
Tel: 0117 972 0195
email:  a.d.hearn@blueyonder.co.uk

End of Bulletin:

Source for this Message:
Eastern Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God