Russia warns of US "hunt" for citizens in Thailand

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has urged Russian citizens to exercise extreme caution when travelling to Thailand, warning of a risk of detention or arrest at the request of the United States.

The warning was issued in an official statement by the Foreign Ministry.

“Unfortunately, this country, which is popular among Russian tourists and friendly to us, remains one of the places where Washington has launched a real ‘hunt’ for Russians,” the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry alleged that the United States is acting aggressively, conducting special operations on Thai territory without regard for local authorities in order to “capture” Russian citizens who come to its attention for various reasons.

“Many of those detained face threats from American intelligence services, intimidation, and psychological pressure aimed at forcing them to plead guilty,” the statement said.

It further claimed that Washington’s “punitive justice machine” has intensified significantly since the start of the “special military operation.”

“Against the backdrop of numerous extraterritorial sanctions targeting strategic segments of the domestic economy, many Russians, without even realizing it, risk ending up in the crosshairs of the Americans,” the ministry added.

The Foreign Ministry recommended that Russian citizens who have even the slightest reason to believe they may be subject to U.S. criminal prosecution avoid travelling to Thailand, which has an extradition treaty with the United States, and also refrain from transit through local airports.

By Vafa Guliyeva