Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reached out to his Tajik counterpart to address concerns over Russia's anti-terrorism measures at border points. This comes in response to complaints from Tajikistan regarding the treatment of its citizens upon arrival at Moscow's airports, ASIA-Plus reported on May 1.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation states that, Lavrov made a telephone call to provide detailed explanations regarding the border checks implemented by Russian services. He emphasized that these measures are aimed at preventing terrorism, particularly in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall.
Lavrov reassured Tajik Foreign Minister Muhriddin that the thorough checks on foreigners entering Russia are not targeted at any specific nation or religion but are instead temporary measures taken in response to security concerns.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of maintaining the long-standing strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Tajikistan.
The telephone call was initiated by the top Russian diplomat a day after Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Semyon Grigoryev was summoned to the Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan to receive a note of protest.
In the note of protest, Tajikistan expressed serious concern about widespread manifestations of a negative attitude towards its nationals in Russia, as well as violations of their rights and freedoms. The note highlighted that such actions are applied exclusively to citizens of Tajikistan, which is fundamentally incompatible with the spirit and traditions of Tajikistan-Russia relations.
Ambassador Grigoryev was invited to the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 26 to discuss the difficulties Tajik nationals have faced in recent weeks during border crossings into the Russian Federation. On April 28, the Tajik Foreign Ministry reported that about 1000 Tajik nationals had been stranded at Moscow airports due to tightened passport and custom controls following a terror attack the previous month. Hundreds of arriving Tajiks were informed that they were barred from entering Russia, leaving them stranded inside the airport.
A day earlier, the Tajik ministry advised its citizens not to travel to Russia. Rights groups suggested that this recommendation was linked to a surge in anti-Tajik sentiment in Russia after 11 Tajik men were arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack on a concert hall in Krasnogorsk on March 22, which resulted in 144 fatalities.
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