"This is Russian": Leo BI-2 commented on detention in Thailand

The participants of the BI-2 band were detained in Thailand after the concert on January 24. The musicians were accused of performing without work permission. They were threatened with deportation in the Russian Federation. The participants of the BI-2 band were detained in Thailand after the concert, which took place on January 24 on Phuket, accusing them of performing without a work permission. Musicians spent almost a week in migrants.

Most members of the band were threatened by deportation to Russia. But they eventually went to Israel. And they commented on the situation. Meduza writes about it. "BI-2" opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine. One of the leaders of the band-Leo BI-2 (Yegor Bortnik)-in May 2023, the Ministry of Justice declared a "foreign agent". It was reported that Vladimir Sosnov, the General Consul of the Russian Federation in Phuket.

After the negotiations, which participated in diplomats from Israel and Australia, the group members managed to fly to Tel Aviv. "We all told us that this is a Russian trail, that this is a Russian consulate specifically (ed. ) Ordering the band" BI-2 "to extradite us in the Russian Federation. Why do you understand for themselves," Lava Bi- said 2 after returning from Thailand.

Earlier, the musicians reported that they were at the Center for Detention of the Migration Police of the Island of Phuket, Thailand. They confirmed that they were detained by police immediately after the concert: the reasons for the detention were incorrectly executed by the organizers of the documents. Musicians insist that all concerts of the BI-2 band are conducted in accordance with local laws and practices. And last year they had two shows in Thailand.

"Recent concerts at Pattai and Phuketi were also officially conducted, with the involvement of local organizers and compliance with all the necessary requirements for the safety of the event," the group said. All members of the group were detained, including citizens of Russia, Israel and Australia. Soloists and founders of the group, Leva and Shura are not citizens of the Russian Federation. They spent the first night in the police station.

The next day, the court took place: a fine that was paid on the spot was issued. They were not given a translator in court. After the court, the musicians were detained by Thailand's migration police. "The situation and the noise around her suggest that not the last role in our detention has played pressure from the outside.

We know that the reasons for this pressure are our creativity, our views, our position," the musicians said, saying that they were kept in the Migration Center in The total chamber for 80 people and did not allow them to be the Australian consul. The concerts will continue on the schedule. On February 17, BI-2 will perform in Dubai.

Opposition Russian politician Dmitry Gudkov stated in an interview that the Consul General of Russia in Phuket Vladimir Sosnov had previously sent Thailand's "black list" of Russian musicians, in ban on concerts and deportations of which Russia is interested. "I understand that it was a special operation of Russian special services - in order to demonstrate to all of us, to those who are abroad and criticize Putin that they can get anyone anywhere. They needed such a fat trophy.