Russian Anti-War Rock Band Faces Deportation from Thailand
The Kremlin's crackdown on dissenting celebrities intensifies as Russian diplomats intervene to prevent the deportation of the rock band Bi-2 from Thailand to Israel, where they were headed to escape potential imprisonment in Russia. Human rights activists warn against sending the band back to Russia, where they could face arrest for criticizing Putin and the war in Ukraine. The band's lead singer was previously declared a "foreign agent" by Russia's Foreign Ministry, and Putin's allies have called for the group to face criminal charges upon their return.