Following strenuous activity by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Embassy in Thailand, all the detainees who were arrested in Thailand a few days ago were released this evening (Wednesday).
Tonight, six members of the group boarded the flight to Israel, including three Israeli citizens.
They join the Israeli citizen who returned earlier this morning from Thailand.
As a reminder, the members of the Russian band B2, of which four band members have Israeli citizenship, were arrested in Thailand a few days ago following an unlicensed performance.
After the band's players were released, they were arrested a second time due to Russian involvement, this in view of their clear opposition to the Putin regime, activity in support of the opposition to Putin and public condemnation of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Due to the fear that their security would be harmed if they were extradited to Russia, efforts were made to return them to Israel.
BI-2 band, photo: I.P
As part of the effort to return the Israeli band members to Israel, some of whom had even served in the IDF and lived in Israel, the fear grew that if the efforts were in vain and they were indeed handed over to Russia, it would be much more difficult to continue helping them. Over the past few months, there has been a considerable escalation in political relations between Israel and Russia. Russia It is known as a country that in many cases arrests citizens of foreign countries in order to promote political achievements through them - and to receive significant political favors in exchange for their release.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in light of the return of the Israeli band members: "I am glad that we succeeded through smart and diligent diplomatic work to free the Israeli citizens who were arrested in Thailand, together with their band members who have foreign citizenship.
They all landed in Israel and are doing well.
Whoever saves one soul is as if he saved the whole world."
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