Were refugees abroad because of war: Thailand sends Russian anti-Putin rockers back to Moscow?

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Thailand loves Russia. Guests from the warring country are currently pumping huge amounts of tourist dollars into the Thai economy. Now the Thai authorities, who are always good with dictators, are faced with a dilemma: Bangkok apparently plans to deport a Russian rock band that is critical of the regime – but where to is currently unclear.

The seven musicians of Bi-2, some of whom also have Israeli passports and two of whom are no longer Russian citizens, said they were arrested and taken into immigration detention last week after a concert on the resort island of Phuket.

With 80 prisoners in a cramped cell

While media initially reported that the musicians would be deported to Russia, one of the band’s founders – Yegor “Ljowa” Bortnik – was flown to Israel on Tuesday evening, the artists reported. Bortnik also has an Australian passport. “The rest of the group is still in a migration prison in a cramped cell with 80 people,” Bi-2 wrote on Facebook.

The band is accused of not having the valid documents for the performance in Phuket. “The reason for the arrest was incorrectly worded documents from the organizers,” Bi-2 said on several social networks. Human rights activists warned that the exiled group would face prosecution if deported to Moscow because of their public criticism of the Russian government.

Human rights activists warn of arrest and torture

“Thai authorities should immediately release the captured members of Bi-2 and allow them to continue their journey,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director of Human Rights Watch (HRW). “Under no circumstances should they be deported to Russia, where they could be arrested or worse for their criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.”

Kremlin speaks of ‘terrorism’

The Russian government considers the group a threat to national security. “After their detention in Thailand, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, 48, said the group had ‘sponsored terrorism’ by condemning Russia and publicly supporting Ukraine,” HRW said.

The Thai government must not deport any of the band members to Russia, the organization demanded. If they were forcibly returned, they would “most likely face arbitrary arrests and detentions, possible ill-treatment in custody, politically motivated criminal charges and unfair trials.” (with SDA)

Source: Blick