Russian human rights activist Nikolai Kobliakov has sought political asylum in Bulgaria, dariknews.bg reported on Wednesday.

The Russian-French businessman who was placed under house arrest on Monday by Sofia City court, has submitted a plea to Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev seeking political asylum on grounds of threat of persecution and his alleged discrediting by Russian authorities

Kobliakov was arrested at Sofia Airport on arrival in Bulgaria on July 31 but was released three days later. Russian authorities have demanded Bulgaria extradite Kobliakov known to be a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow prosecutors issued a red notice alert for Kobliakov last year, accusing him of having obtained the rights to collect receivables of a French company  in a fraudulent manner. Prosecutors claim he and his accomplices had drained some EUR 1.2 M from the company.

Kobliakov, who co-heads France-based human rights organization Russie-Libertes, claims Moscow’s actions against him are politically motivated.