Russia has issued a stark travel warning to its citizens, advising them to avoid countries with extradition treaties with the United States. The Foreign Ministry cited an increase in what it described as 'Washington's punitive justice' since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
In a travel advisory, the ministry cautioned that Russians risk lengthy prison sentences if handed over to the US. It highlighted concerns that 'with numerous extraterritorial sanctions targeting strategic segments of the domestic economy, many Russians, without even realising it, risk finding themselves in the crosshairs of American law enforcement and intelligence agencies.'
The ministry also alleged, without providing evidence, that US intelligence agencies often use fraudulent schemes to lure Russian citizens abroad with lucrative offers, leading to immediate detention upon arrival in a third country. This advisory is specifically aimed at Russians who have reasonable grounds to believe they may be subject to criminal prosecution by US authorities or those on US sanctions lists.
Countries identified as most likely to extradite include Britain, Switzerland, most EU members, Canada, Australia, Israel, much of Latin America, Liberia, Morocco, and several Asian states. Russia said more than 100 of its nationals had been transferred to the US in this way since arms dealer Viktor Bout was arrested in Thailand in 2008.
Bout spent 14 years in prison in the US for arms trafficking, money laundering and conspiring to kill Americans. He was freed in 2022 in exchange for Brittney Griner, a US basketball star who was imprisoned in Russia for bringing cannabis vape oil into the country.
