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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Pjotr Sauer

Dissident rock band Bi-2 leave Thailand after Russia deportation fears

Members of Bi-2 at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv.
Members of Bi-2 at Ben Gurion International airport in Tel Aviv. Several of the group’s members hold Israeli passports. Photograph: Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters

A dissident Russian-Belarusian rock band critical of the war in Ukraine have left Thailand for Israel after fears they would be deported to Russia under suspected pressure from the Kremlin.

Seven members of the Bi-2 group were detained by Thai immigration authorities last Wednesday on the resort island of Phuket for working without a permit. The band were touring in Phuket, a holiday destination popular with Russian tourists.

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