Russian Anti-War Rock Band Detained in Thailand, Faces Deportation to Moscow

Russian rock band Bi-2, critical of Putin and Moscow's war in Ukraine, is detained in a Thai immigration jail with fears of deportation to Russia, despite a reported plan to fly to safety in Israel being suspended due to alleged intervention from Russian diplomats. The band members were arrested for not having proper working papers after a concert in Phuket, and human rights groups are urging Thai authorities to release them and not deport them to Russia, where they could face arrest for their outspoken criticisms. Pressure to detain and deport them is believed to have come from the Kremlin and Russian Foreign Ministry, while Russian officials deny involvement.