Russia denies involvement in anti-war band Bi-2’s arrest in Thailand, says members ‘categorically refused’ to speak to Russian consular officers
Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has called allegations of its involvement in the arrest of anti-war Russian-Belarusian rock band Bi-2 members in Thailand and subsequent attempts to deport them to Russia “completely fake.”
The ministry referenced material from Meduza, Sota, and opposition politician Maxim Katz as examples of “false” and “speculative” reporting.
According to the ministry, Russian consular officers went to the temporary detention center in Bangkok where the musicians were being held as soon as they were notified by the Thai authorities of the arrests. However, the Bi-2 members “categorically refused” to speak to them.
“However, by their own admission, the musicians welcomed assistance from the U.S. State Department, American senators, German, Polish, and Lithuanian diplomats, and other individuals. Russian journalists were not allowed to attend a press conference organized with the Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry. This indicates that the organizers of such a show fear being exposed. We are sympathetic to the attempts by Israeli diplomats to demonstrate their capabilities for the release, if not of hostages, then of musicians,” reads the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement.
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