The First Lutheran Church is a Lutheran Church located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It gained local prominence in 2009 when Mikhail Lennikov, an ex-KGB officer, sought refuge within the church to avoid deportation back to his native Russia. He lived in the church with his family for six years before voluntarily leaving Canada in 2015.[1][2] However, half a year later a federal court overturned the ruling that rejected his request for humanitarian asylum, allowing him to return to the country.[3][4]

First Lutheran Church
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LocationVancouver, British Columbia
CountryCanada
DenominationLutheran
WebsiteFirst Lutheran Church

References

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  1. ^ "Mikhail Lennikov, former KGB agent, leaves Canada after 6 years in Vancouver church". CBC News. August 17, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Ex-KGB Spy Leaves B.C. Church After 6 Years In Hiding". HuffPost Canada. August 17, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  3. ^ Moreau, Jennifer (January 4, 2016). "Judge overturns ruling for deported ex-KGB officer". Burnaby Now. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "Federal Court opens door for former KGB employee to rejoin family in Canada". The Globe and Mail. January 5, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2019.

49°13′55″N 123°03′08″W / 49.2320°N 123.0522°W / 49.2320; -123.0522