Israel is arranging diplomatic support for members of the Russian rock duo Bi-2 who were detained in Thailand. The information comes from Israeli officials who specified that the Foreign Ministry and the Israeli embassy in Thailand are actively engaging with the affected musicians to assist them through the legal process.
Officials confirmed that the group includes four musicians who hold both Russian and Israeli citizenships. The situation is being handled by the Israeli Foreign Ministry in coordination with the country’s embassy, ensuring access to consular services for the detained artists.
Reports indicate that the members of Bi-2 declined a meeting with the Russian consul who visited them at the temporary detention facility operated by Thai immigration authorities.
It is noted that five members of Bi-2 are Russian citizens, while two others entered Thailand using Australian and Israeli passports. The two soloists, known as Shura and Leva, are identified as Alexander Uman and Egor Bortnik, with Leva also recognized in Russia as a political activist.
The band members were detained on the Thai island of Phuket on charges related to performing without a valid work permit. Each musician faced a fine and potential deportation back to their country of citizenship, in line with Thai law that governs entry and departure based on the passport used for arrival.
On January 29, the Russian consulate in Thailand reported that five Bi-2 musicians were being held in the Royal Immigration Service Detention Center in Bangkok.
Earlier statements from Katya Lel, a member of the group, suggested a broader, symbolic interpretation of their work in the world, a claim that has been cited in coverage of the incident. This event has drawn attention to the complexities of international touring, visa rules, and the responsibilities of consulates to assist their citizens abroad.
[Attribution: Reported details attributed to Israeli officials and Thai authorities; corroborating statements referenced from the Russian consulate and group members.]