Bangkok: Members of a dissident Russian rock band – which includes an Australian citizen – are facing possible deportation back to Russia from Thailand after they were arrested in the resort island of Phuket for working without a permit, several officials told Reuters on Monday.
Human rights activists fear the self-exiled rock band Bi-2 would face harsh punishment if they were sent back to Moscow.
Shura Bi-2, aka Alexandr Uman (left), and Leva Bi-2, aka Igor Bortnik.Credit: B2Band
Band member Aleksandr Uman, known as Shura Bi-2, holds Australian citizenship along with Russian and Belarusian citizenship, according to IMBD, and has lived in Melbourne.
Bi-2 is known for its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with its lead singer Igor Bortnik labelled by Russian authorities as a “foreign agent” after he criticised President Vladimir Putin online.
Seven band members were detained at Bangkok’s immigration detention centre after their arrests on January 24 for working without a permit, Kriangkrai Ariyaying, the superintendent of Phuket’s Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.
The jail in Phuket.Credit: B2Band
“This usually results in deportation to their country of origin but there is some discretion (about the destination),” Kriangkrai said.
Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher on Thailand for Human Rights Watch, said the band members would “likely face harsh prosecution and other grave dangers” if they were sent back to Russia due to their dissident status.
“This case is a litmus test of Thailand’s compliance with fundamental human rights principles,” he said.
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