Dissident Russian rock band in Israel after deportation from Thailand under likely Kremlin pressure
ABC News
A dissident Russian rock band angered by Moscow’s war in Ukraine has arrived in Israel after being deported from Thailand under suspected pressure from the Kremlin
TEL AVIV, Israel -- TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A dissident Russian rock band angered by Moscow's war in Ukraine has arrived in Israel after being deported from Thailand under suspected pressure from the Kremlin, the performers said Thursday.
Speaking in the arrival hall of Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, guitarist and singer Aleksandr “Shura” Uman of the band Bi-2 said the band was doing well and very tired after their ordeal. He also called the conditions he and his band faced in a Thai jail as “horrible.”
“We are free and we will keep moving forward,” Uman said.
Uman thanked the Israeli, American and Australian diplomats, as well as human rights organizations, for their work to bring them to Israel. A handful of supporters met their early-morning flight with signs to welcome them to Israel.
On Wednesday night, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised diplomatic efforts that enabled all the musicians to leave Thailand for Israel. One band member with Israeli citizenship had returned earlier Wednesday morning.
