The lead singer of the group Bi-2, known as Leva, whose real name is Egor Bortnik, spoke about his detention in Thailand during a recent interview with Channel Five. He notes that he regards himself as a world citizen, while also taking pride in his Israeli citizenship.
He explained that his country helped him gain independence and that the nation once saved him and his friends during difficult moments. These reflections came as he reflected on the circumstances surrounding the Thai detention and visa violations that led to tensions during the stay in Bangkok.
Bortnik described the experience as revealing a set of persistent traces he believed connected to his time in Russia. He commented that he is currently living in Europe and that people in Bangkok attributed the issue to a supposed Russian trail. He suggested that the difficulties faced by the group could have been avoided if different decisions had been made or if certain safeguards had been in place in advance of their stay.
In the days surrounding the detention, Bi-2 members were taken through procedures that led to deportation. After a period in Thailand, Bortnik was sent to Israel, and then he was deported from Thailand. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, personally met with the artists and expressed relief that authorities managed to avert extradition to Russia, where the musicians faced the risk of lengthy imprisonment. A Russian State Duma deputy, Andrei Lugovoi, had warned that the artists would be caught again somewhere, a warning that continued to echo through conversations in both Moscow and scenes abroad.
A former diplomat later provided details about the deportation process for Bi-2’s musicians, outlining the legal steps and diplomatic interactions involved in the case. The broader context highlighted how musicians navigating international venues and visa regimes can become entwined in geopolitical tensions, even when their primary aim is to perform and share their music with audiences around the world.
The incident underscores the fragile balance artists strike when traveling between countries. It also illustrates how foreign policy dynamics can intersect with cultural exchange, impacting artists who seek to connect with fans beyond borders. The Bi-2 experience in Southeast Asia and the subsequent diplomatic discussions reflect the complex realities that international performers may encounter, reminding audiences that music travels far, but the routes it takes can be complicated by politics and legal frameworks across different jurisdictions.