KOCHI: A citizen of war-torn Ukraine has sought the Kerala High Court’s intervention in granting temporary asylum to her in India as she is unable to return to her home country at present for visa renewal.Svitlana Olexandrivna of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, came to Kochi on September 18th last year and her visa is valid until April 12th. She has to go back to Ukraine to renew her passport but she fears losing her life in the war if she visits her nation.Her petition to the high court says, “The petitioner is approaching this honourable court in her desperate attempt to save her life which is under threat in her home country Ukraine which is amidst a bloody war.”Svitlana’s father lost his life in the crisis and her mother and younger brother have fled Ukraine to a neighbouring country for fear of their lives, the 41-year-old spinster reveals in the petition.Her chance of surviving in her home country, which is ravaged by war, is very bleak. Compelling her to return there now will be akin to putting her to death. During her stay in India, she has abided by all the laws and there has never been any case of complaint or improper conduct on her part, Svitlana’s plea to the court said.She sought permission from Foreigners Regional Registration Officer of Kochi to allow her to stay here until the conflict in her home country subsides. A written request was submitted to the officer on March 31st. However, the officer has categorically stated that if she stays in Kochi beyond April 12th, she would have to face prosecution and imprisonment, the petition filed through advocate TC Suresh Menon stated.News reports about the conflict in Ukraine have been produced along with the petition filed to the court. The petition is expected to come up for admission hearing before the court on Monday.