US updates travel advisory on Russia
US citizens traveling to Russia could be “wrongfully detained” on “spurious charges,” the State Department has warned
Russia is one of few countries to have a new constitution. “risk indicator”Travel advisories from the US State Department. Russian security agencies have “singled out US citizens” for “detention and … harassment,”The state department issued a warning Tuesday in its latest advisory update.
Russia has been given the highest level of risk by the USA: “Do not travel.” Americans “residing or traveling in Russia should depart Russia immediately,”According to the department of state.
The list of reasons one should not even consider going to Russia included Moscow’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine, which Washington called an “unprovoked and unjustified invasion”Both allegedly and actually “arbitrary enforcement of local law,”Covid-19 limitations and even “terrorism.”
Washington now warns Americans visiting Russia that they might be subject to targeted persecution from the Russian security services. “There is the potential throughout Russia of harassment of foreigners, including through regulations targeted specifically against foreigners,”The travel advisory stated that former and current officials as well as private citizens might be able to help. “become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.”
Learn more
Russian security agencies are, according to state officials. “have arrested US citizens on spurious charges, singled out US citizens in Russia for detention … denied them fair and transparent treatment, and have convicted them in secret trials.”Washington didn’t present any evidence in support of such claims, but stated that the state department did “determined that at least one US national is wrongfully detained by the Russian government.”
Before the Tuesday travel advisory update was released, the White House stated to journalists Russia was among six countries that would be given a new visa. “D”The risk indicator is for “risk of wrongful detention by a foreign government.”China, Iran and North Korea are the other nations.
It all happened when the US President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order to give his Administration additional tools to prevent further developments “hostage-taking and the wrongful detention of US nationals.”
US media reports that the order permits targeting individuals involved in these practices using visa bans and financial sanctions. “The president has been willing to make what he himself has said publicly are tough, but important calls when it means bringing home Americans,”CNBC was informed by a top administration official.
Learn more
According to the order, also the Biden administration was tasked by the commander with the identification and recommendation of terrorists “options and strategies … to secure the recovery of hostages or the return of wrongfully detained United States nationals.”
Moscow has yet to react to these developments. Russia and the USA are engaged in a dispute over Brittney griner, the American basketball player. Griner was taken into custody in Russia for drug-related offenses in February. Her arrest was previously described by the Biden administration as unlawful detention.
Joe Rogan, a controversial US analyst and podcaster, called Griner last week. “political prisoner.”Her arrest has been repeatedly denied by the Kremlin. The Russian president’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has previously said she was detained in accordance with local legislation due to possession of “illegal drugs that contained narcotic substances.”
Griner is currently in Russian custody after she was discovered with a vape pen containing 0.70 grams of cannabis in her bag.
[ad_2]