Detained in Thailand, Russian anti-war rock bank facing deportation fears
Entertainment
The Bi-2 members are facing fearful consequences of possibly being deported back to Russia
(Web Desk) - Kremlin continues to pursue artists opposing the war against Ukraine. Bi-2 members are the latest victims of the issue.
Self-exiled Russian-Belarusian rock bank Bi-2 has been detained in Thailand since last week.
Russian authorities are only pushing to worsen the matters for them as the members await freedom from their confinement at a detention center.
Despite having plane tickets in their possession, the anti-war music act has been locked up with 80 other people in a cell.
The Bi-2 members are facing fearful consequences of possibly being deported back to Russia.
However, the issue isn't as easy to solve diplomatically. Some members hold dual citizenships of Australia and Israel, and two others (Shura and Lyova) are not even Russian citizens.
The situation keeps going in circles, only expanding the period of torment for the band members.
Here's what happened and why they're stuck in this pickle.
Why was Bi2 detained?
Performing outside of Russia since 2022, Bi-2 returned to Thailand's Phuket to promote yet again in 2024.
Things took a dark turn when Thai authorities intervened and put their musical fest to a jarring halt, claiming that one of their Phuket concerts wasn't carried out without a permit.
Although Bi-2 opposed the idea since their Thai shows aren't unheard of, fears of a possible deportation have endangered everything.
Thai immigration authorities detained seven members of the group last Wednesday.
Since then, the septet has transferred to Bangkok, and has been put behind bars.
Well known for having condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kremlin has recognized the artists as dangerous elements.
The group's lead singer has even been labelled a “foreign agent” for his extreme criticisms of the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The band refused to meet with Russian consul
Since not all members are Russian, deporting them back to the country isn't possible.
Israeli diplomats also jumped in to offer the group to fly to the Israeli city Tel Aviv.
However, the Russian consul once again interfered the transaction.
