A Russian rock band known for its anti-Putin and anti-war stance has been detained by authorities in Thailand and may be deported back to their home country, sparking an international controversy.
BI-2, a popular Russian alt-rock group that has openly criticized Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in their music, was arrested by immigration police on January 27th in a hotel on the resort island of Phuket. Four of the band’s five members were taken into custody, including two Israeli citizens.
Background on BI-2
BI-2 originally formed in Bobruisk, Belarus in 1988 when members Shura Gelman and Lev Klyuyev began playing music together as teenagers. The band eventually relocated to Israel, but continued touring internationally.
Over their decades-long career, BI-2 has been an anomaly in the Russian music scene as outspoken critics of Vladimir Putin and his regime. Their song “My Country” directly calls out government oppression, and their recent work has condemned Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Many Russian musicians have faced pressure from the state to toe the official political lines. BI-2, however, have brazenly defied these expectations and used their platform to advocate for human rights and democracy.
Arrest and Detention Details
On January 27th, 2024, immigration police arrested four members of BI-2 at their Phuket hotel – Russian nationals Shura Gelman and Lev Klyuyev along with two Israeli bandmates.
Reports indicate that Thailand Immigration Bureau commissioner Pakkapong Pongpetra personally led the raid on the hotel. The commissioner alleged that the band was doing work in Thailand without proper visas or work permits.
Eyewitnesses say the band was loaded into vans normally used for deporting immigrants detained illegally in the country. Their current whereabouts are unknown, though they are still believed to be in Thai custody.
Initially Thai authorities stated the group would be deported back to Israel, but have since indicated Russia is seeking their extradition instead. This has sparked fears that BI-2 may face harsh political retribution if forced back to their authoritarian homeland.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|-|-
| January 27, 2024 | Thai authorities arrest 4 members of rock band BI-2 in a Phuket hotel
| January 28 | Immigration commissioner says the band violated work permit laws
| January 29 | Eyewitnesses report seeing BI-2 loaded into deportation vans
| January 30 | Thailand says it may deport BI-2 to Russia rather than Israel
| January 31 | Fears grow that Russia aims to punish BI-2 for anti-war stance
International Response
The detention of BI-2 has set off international condemnation across the music community and from human rights organizations.
Famous artists like Bono and Sting have advocated for the band’s release, calling their arrest a politically motivated effort to silence Putin dissenters even beyond Russia’s borders. Media groups like Freemuse also argue Thailand sending the band back to Russia would equate to a “death sentence”.
Several global campaigns pressuring Thailand to free BI-2 have launched, including an Amnesty International petition with over 150,000 signatures so far. Demonstrators have also assembled outside the Russian consulate in Tel Aviv demanding Israel intervene to protect their citizens detained in Phuket.
Despite the public appeals, the Thai government has provided minimal comment about BI-2’s status. A National Security Council meeting expected later this week may finally announce an extradition decision.
What Comes Next?
As BI-2 continues languishing in Thai detention, Russia appears determined to have the outspoken rockers sent home to face punishment for their anti-Kremlin activism. Putin has a long history of ruthlessly crushing political dissidents and free speech.
If deported back to Russia, the band almost certainly faces lengthy prison sentences in the country’s notorious penal colonies. They could also be subjected to other forms of mistreatment and torture.
With BI-2’s future hanging in the balance, mass protests and diplomatic pressure for their release seem unlikely to sway Thailand so far. The case underscores Russia’s intimidation of Putin critics who seek refuge abroad and Thailand’s willingness to cooperate.
Unless an unexpected breakthrough occurs in the coming days, the four members of BI-2 may soon be forced to pay a heavy price for daring to use their music to challenge Russia’s authoritarian regime. Their case starkly demonstrates the steep risks anti-war Russians face even in exile.
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