US authorities deported between 30 and 60 Russian citizens in one day this week, according to Dmitry Valuev, president of the NGO Russian America for Democracy in Russia, as reported by the independent media outlet Agency on August 29. The mass deportation occurred on Wednesday. The Russians were flown to Egypt, where they were met by local services, and then sent on a flight to Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport.
Some Russians attempted to alter their flight plans but were assaulted by Egyptian security forces, Valuev disclosed.
Reasons for US deportation
The deported Russians were either in immigration detention awaiting deportation, had lost asylum rights, or chose to leave the US before a court decision.
The human rights activist mentioned that some deportees fear political persecution in Russia.
The agency noted that a former serviceman accused of desertion was among those deported; he had applied for asylum in the US but was rejected.
Interrogations in Russia
Passengers arriving from Egypt to Moscow underwent lengthy interrogations at the Russian border, Valuev reported. At least one individual was detained, while several others were granted bail.
Vladimir Osechkin, founder of the human rights organization Gulagu.net, brought attention to the mass deportations, noting that the Russians faced a “filtering” system in Moscow with hours-long interrogations, during which some were beaten.
This marks the second mass deportation of Russians from the US this summer, following the deportation of about 40 people in June.
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