The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has issued a new travel alert to its citizens recommending that they «do not travel» to the country due to the «unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine» and calling on those already on Russian territory to leave the country «immediately.»
Thus, it has indicated on its website that US citizens in Russia are exposed to «potential harassment» and «detentions» or the «arbitrary application of local law», while stressing that the Embassy has «limited capacity to assist US citizens in Russia», regardless of the «possibility of terrorism».
«Exercise extra caution due to the risk of wrongful detention,» he said, before recalling the suspension of operations at its consulates in Russia and noting that «Russia could refuse to recognize dual U.S. citizenship, deny access to consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, or conscript them.»
He has also stressed that «U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Russia» and that «commercial flight options are extremely limited and often unavailable on short notice.» «If they want to leave Russia, they should make arrangements independently as soon as possible,» he added.
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has emphasized that «U.S. citizens, including retired or active duty military or civil servants and private citizens engaged in business or visiting or residing in Russia have been unreasonably interrogated and threatened by Russian officials and have become victims of harassment, mistreatment and extortion.»
«Russian security services have detained U.S. citizens on trumped-up charges (…) denied them fair and transparent treatment and convicted them in secret trials without presenting credible evidence,» he said, before noting that «Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. religious workers and have opened questionable investigations against U.S. citizens involved in religious activities.»
As a result, he stressed that «U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to Russia to work or volunteer for non-governmental organizations or religious organizations» and pointed to «multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to the unprovoked and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine.» «The Russian government declared on October 20, 2022 martial law in the regions bordering Ukraine, which allows for the rapid introduction of restrictive measures,» he has warned.
In this line, he explained that «recent legislation expands the ability of Russian authorities to detain, interrogate and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russian interests, including contacts with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, and defending the rights of LGBTQI+ people.»
Finally, he said that «terrorist groups, both transnational and local, and individuals inspired by extremist ideologies continue to plan potential attacks in Russia» and reminded that «travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.»
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
