Kyrgyzstan urges its citizens not to travel to Russia

(Patria) - Kyrgyzstan has called on its citizens not to travel to Russia, where migrant workers and visitors from Central Asia are facing immense pressure following last week's deadly attack near Moscow, which killed 137 people.

Russian officials earlier stated that 11 suspects have been detained, including four men who allegedly attacked the Crocus City Hall entertainment venue. Late on March 24, the four men, all ethnic Tajiks, were remanded in custody until at least May 22.

Three more Tajik nationals residing in Russia were sent to pre-trial detention for at least two months yesterday, reports RFE/RL.

Self-exiled leader of the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), Muhiddin Kabiri, doubts that Tajiks were involved in the planning and execution of the terrorist attack.

- This attack was definitely orchestrated by some intelligence agencies and experienced individuals. If Tajiks were indeed involved, they were most likely used as a tool. They were only second or third-tier people in this provocation - Kabiri told RFE/RL yesterday.

Although Russian authorities have not described the suspects as migrant workers, many of the hundreds of thousands of Tajiks living in Russia are part of the country's migrant labor force, which Kabiri says has been subject to various influences since Tajikistan's authoritarian leader Emomali Rahmon shut down all migrant leaders, lawyers, and activists protecting Tajik workers' rights, seeing them as political rivals.

- What is happening today to Tajik migrants, whether they were involved in this attack or not, or if they are being targeted (due to xenophobic attacks), is all a result of the Tajik government's policy - emphasizes Kabiri, who left Tajikistan after his party was banned by the Supreme Court as a terrorist organization in 2015.

Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry official Bakyt Kadyrov told RFE/RL yesterday that Russian authorities are conducting anti-terrorist operations and are therefore intensifying checks on individuals entering and leaving Russia following the March 22 attack.

- All (Kyrgyz) diaspora organizations in Russia have been informed of the situation. We have no information on the duration of the anti-terrorist operations (in Russia).

(Kyrgyz) citizens who are on a blacklist or have violated the law in the past are banned from entering (Russia) - Kadyrov stated, adding that hotlines at the Kyrgyz Ministry and Embassy in Russia are operating around the clock.