Popular Post webfact Posted January 30 Popular Post Share Posted January 30 A Human Rights Watch director pleaded with the Thai authorities not to deport a Russian rock band back to their homeland. Elaine Pearson, the Asia Director of the Human Rights Watch division, revealed that the Russian-Belarusian rock band Bi-2 faces persecution for their outspoken public criticism of the Russian government if Thailand deports them back home. The Thai police arrested the band for allegedly performing a concert without the proper work authorisations. Subsequently, they were transferred to an immigration detention centre pending deportation. Pearson wasted no time in demanding the release of the band, which was formed in 1988 in Bobruisk, Belarus. “The Thai authorities should immediately release the detained members of Bi-2 and allow them to go on their way, “Under no circumstances should they be deported to Russia, where they could face arrest or worse for their outspoken criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.” by Bob Scott Picture courtesy of Andrea DiCenzo. Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-30 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe 2 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Pouatchee Posted January 30 Popular Post Share Posted January 30 (edited) totally confusing reporting. yesterday, on the thai pbs report: Quote Among the seven band members arrested are Yegor Burtnik and Alexander Uman, Israeli citizens. The band allegedly has two other Israeli citizens, but reports haven’t confirmed these members’ identities. The band has a history of legal trouble with the Russian Government, according the Jerusalem Post. so? russian or israeli? if israeli why would they be deported to russia and why would thailand even get involved? Edited January 30 by Pouatchee 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 13 minutes ago, Pouatchee said: totally confusing reporting. yesterday, on the thai pbs report: so? russian or israeli? if israeli why would they be deported to russia and why would thailand even get involved? Dual nationality (or even triple, I think, for some). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Smokin Joe Posted January 30 Popular Post Share Posted January 30 Wikipedia has updated the Bi-2 page with new info. I think this is the most detailed citizenship info that has been posted. I doubt that Thailand would be stupid enough to deport people with Israeli and Australian citizenship to Russia, regardless of dual nationality or not. I wonder what passports were used for entering Thailand. If they entered on Russian Passports it would make sense to deport them to Russia in normal circumstances. But this is not normal circumstances. "In January 2024, members of the group have been arrested in Thailand for allegedly violating immigration regulations and may be deported to Russia, since five of its members have Russian citizenship. As those members also have citizenship of other countries (Israeli and Australian), the issue became a diplomatic concern for several countries, also fueled by arguments that Russian request is related to silencing political dissidents" 1 1 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchcat Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 33 minutes ago, Pouatchee said: why would thailand even get involved? From OP: 44 minutes ago, webfact said: The Thai police arrested the band for allegedly performing a concert without the proper work authorisations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 Tell the band members they will be deported. But ask them where they want to be sent, pending destination nations agree? Within Southeast Asia itself there might be places agreeable for deportation such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia. Maybe they can get legal gigs to help sustain cost of living. Some members might be accepted to Israel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 2 hours ago, webfact said: “The Thai authorities should immediately release the detained members of Bi-2 and allow them to go on their way, Go on their way where???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garzhe Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 5 minutes ago, hotchilli said: Go on their way where???? To wherever they are accepted outside of Russia. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muhendis Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 31 minutes ago, garzhe said: To wherever they are accepted outside of Russia. and/or Belarus. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 That urging won't mean anything to this administration, any government with the army connected to it here, is completely immoral, ethically bankrupt, and possesses nothing in the way of a moral compass. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Burma Bill Posted January 30 Popular Post Share Posted January 30 1 hour ago, hotchilli said: Go on their way where???? Perhaps Ukraine where they would probably get a favourable reception for criticising Pooh-tin and his Government. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post zhounan Posted January 30 Popular Post Share Posted January 30 Any news about local sponsor or promoter? I imagine the scene: "Do we need a permit to perform in Thailand?" "Mai pen rai! Just take your instruments!" 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 Just now, zhounan said: Any news about local sponsor or promoter? I imagine the scene: "Do we need a permit to perform in Thailand?" "Mai pen rai! Just take your instruments!" Indeed. They also, probably, got an agent/manager who's supposed to handle these things. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorry Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 14 hours ago, hotchilli said: Go on their way where???? Israel invited them to Tel Aviv, and the Thais agreed. After intervention of the Russian embassy the deal was canceled. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/30/members-of-russian-anti-war-rock-band-bi-2-face-deportation-from-thailand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorry Posted January 30 Share Posted January 30 17 hours ago, Pouatchee said: why would thailand even get involved? The Russian consulate asked the thai authorities to get Bi-2 delivered to Russia so the Thais obliged https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/30/members-of-russian-anti-war-rock-band-bi-2-face-deportation-from-thailand 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pouatchee Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 (edited) 4 hours ago, Lorry said: The Russian consulate asked the thai authorities to get Bi-2 delivered to Russia so the Thais obliged how nice and thoughtful of them. i guess thais have to keep the tourism #'s up Edited January 31 by Pouatchee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 From what I've read only one of them entered Thailand using an Israeli passport (and will be/was deported to Israel). The rest used their Russian passports, so technically, Russia had some grounds to get involved. Another one also holds an Australian passport, and may be deported there. As to the Russians' intervention - that's obviously bogus and nothing to do with the supposed offense they committed vs. Thai law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 Some stupid idiots decided they didn't need to comply with the laws of the land Got caught and now some NGC thinks they should not be treated according to the law simply because the countries they have citizenships for are at war. Surely if the last thing they wanted was to go home they should have thought about that before and kept their heads down and not worked illegally in a public space. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 33 minutes ago, VocalNeal said: Some stupid idiots decided they didn't need to comply with the laws of the land Got caught and now some NGC thinks they should not be treated according to the law simply because the countries they have citizenships for are at war. Surely if the last thing they wanted was to go home they should have thought about that before and kept their heads down and not worked illegally in a public space. I don't think that's quite the issue. Deporting them etc. is not a problem. The Russian intervention, and it's implications are. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 ^ But surely they would have known this before they were stupid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 8 minutes ago, VocalNeal said: ^ But surely they would have known this before they were stupid. I do not disagree that they were stupid. No idea if they knew about the rules, or if it was something messed up by their agent, or the Thai promoter or what. My guess is that they either thought it was taken care of, or did it before without consequences and assumed it was 'safe'. Being stupid doesn't merit being sent to Russia, where they are likely to be treated badly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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