The United States has called on American citizens in Russia to leave immediately because of Russia’s war on Ukraine and the risk of arbitrary arrest and persecution by Russian authorities.
“US citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave the country immediately,” the US Embassy in Moscow said.
“Exercise extreme caution due to the risk of arbitrary detentions,” the diplomatic mission said in a statement.
“Don’t go to Russia,” the document also says.
“Russian intelligence agencies have arrested American citizens on false charges, identified American citizens in Russia for detention and prosecution, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without credible evidence,” says he.
“Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against American religious figures and have opened questionable criminal investigations against American citizens engaged in religious activities,” the US Embassy in Russia said in a statement.