I agree with the suggestion to go a abroad but honestly without knowing more, your political background might not be as much as a liability as you are concerned about in academics. I'm not saying it won't be an issue, but if you're broad enough in applying, you'll likely find somewhere either sympathetic to you or willing to tolerate it.

The bigger issue I think is whether you can make a case for your interest and skills in academic research. I'm not saying you can't, or that it's too difficult, because I know nothing about you really, but my guess is that will be a major thing at most places.

Age might also be an issue entering a doctoral program. It shouldn't be but it could be.

If you can contact people whose research you are genuinely interested in and get feelers it might help.

A lot of this is really unpredictable. I hope it works out for you.