Russian rock band members, who are vocal opponents of the Ukraine war, have departed Thailand for Israel after authorities threatened to deport them back to Moscow for working in Phuket without a permit, according to the band and Thai police. Concerns were raised by human rights activists that the self-exiled group, Bi-2, would face severe consequences if sent to Russia. However, some band members hold both Russian and Israeli citizenship and had previously been based in Israel during the 1990s. The band requested to be deported to Israel, and Deputy Police Chief Surachate Hakparn confirmed that they were fined for working without a permit. “All of them traveled to Israel around 11 pm last night,” Surachate stated. Bi-2 also announced on their Facebook page that all members had left Thailand and were en route to Tel Aviv. Known for their criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the band’s lead singer Igor Bortnick was labeled a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry after publicly criticizing President Vladimir Putin last year. Thai immigration officials had offered the band the option to be deported to a different destination if they felt unsafe returning to Russia. The decision to send them to Israel was welcomed by Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, who stated, “Human rights concerns won out in Thailand’s decision to let all the Bi-2 band members travel to the safety of Israel.”
A Russian rock band, Bi-2, known for opposing the Ukraine war, has left Thailand for Israel after facing deportation threats for working without a permit. The band members hold both Russian and Israeli citizenship, and they had been based in Israel in the past. Human rights activists warned that the band would face severe punishment if sent back to Russia. The Thai police confirmed that the band requested to be deported to Israel, and they were fined for working without a permit. The band announced on their Facebook page that all members had left Thailand and were heading to Tel Aviv. Bi-2’s lead singer, Igor Bortnick, was previously labeled a “foreign agent” by Russia’s Justice Ministry after criticizing President Putin online.
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