Russia warns citizens not to travel to states that have extradition treaties with US

Russia issued a warning to its citizens on Wednesday, advising them against traveling to countries that have extradition agreements with the United States. The Foreign Ministry released a travel advisory stating that since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022, "the intensity of Washington’s punitive justice" has risen. As a result, individuals could face lengthy prison sentences if extradited to the U.S. The ministry noted that many Russians may unknowingly be at risk due to various extraterritorial sanctions impacting critical parts of the Russian economy. It further claimed, without providing specific evidence, that “U.S. intelligence agencies often use deceptive tactics to entice Russian citizens to travel abroad with attractive business or tourist offers.” The advisory mentioned that Russians might be detained as soon as they arrive in a third country. This travel advisory is directed at Russians who believe they could be prosecuted by U.S. authorities or those listed on U.S. sanctions lists. The ministry highlighted several countries that are likely to extradite Russians to the U.S., including Britain, Switzerland, most EU nations, Canada, Australia, Israel, many Latin American countries, Liberia, Morocco, and several Asian nations. Since the arrest of arms dealer Viktor Bout in Thailand in 2008, Russia stated that over 100 of its citizens have been sent to the U.S. Bout was imprisoned for 14 years in the U.S. for arms trafficking, money laundering, and conspiring to kill Americans. He was released in 2022 as part of a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner, a U.S. basketball player who had been detained in Russia for bringing cannabis vape oil into the country.