The US Embassy in Moscow issued a new travel alert to its citizens recommending that “don’t travel” to the country due to the “unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine” and demanding those who are already on Russian territory to leave the country “immediately”.
Thus, it indicated on its website that US citizens in Russia expose themselves to “potential harassment” and “detentions” or the “arbitrary application of local law”, while stressing that the Embassy has “limited ability to assist US citizens in Russia”apart from the “possibility of terrorism”.
“Exercise greater caution due to the risk of erroneous arrests,” he said, before recalling the suspension of operations at his consulates in Russia and noting that “Russia could refuse to recognize dual American citizenshipdeny access to consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia or recruit them”.
In addition, He claimed that “American credit and debit cards do not work in Russia” and? “commercial flight options are extremely limited and they are often not available on short notice.” “If they want to get out of Russia, they should make arrangements independently as soon as possible,” she added.
The US Embassy in Moscow stressed that “US citizens, including retired or active duty or military officials and private citizens engaged in business or visiting or residing in Russia have been questioned without reason and threatened by Russian officials and they have become victims of harassment, ill-treatment and extortion”.
“Russian security services have detained US citizens on trumped up charges (…) has denied them fair and transparent treatment and has convicted them in secret trials without presenting credible evidence,” he said, before pointing out that “the Russian authorities arbitrarily apply local laws against American religious workers and have opened questionable investigations against US citizens involved in religious activities.”
Therefore, he insisted that “U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to Russia to work or volunteer. in non-governmental organizations or religious organizations” and has targeted “multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine”. “The Russian government declared martial law in the border regions with Ukraine on October 20, 2022, allowing the rapid introduction of restrictive measures,” he warned.
Along these lines, he explained that “recent legislation expands the ability of the Russian authorities to detain, interrogate and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russian interests, including contacts with foreign and international entities, discrediting the State or the Russian Army and defending the rights of LGBTQI+ people.
Finally, he said that “Terrorist groups, both transnational and local, and individuals inspired by extremist ideologies continue to plan possible attacks in Russia” and recalled that “travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, is prohibited for US government employees and is strongly discouraged for US citizens.”
(With information from Europa Press)
News in development…
