The Russian Foreign Ministry warned Russians about the risk of arrests abroad at the request of the United States.

      The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a warning for citizens planning to travel abroad. The reason is the increased threat of detention or arrest at the request of law enforcement agencies and U.S. intelligence services in third countries, as reported on the agency's website.

      As noted by the Ministry, this practice began in 2008 when Russian entrepreneur Viktor Bout was detained in Thailand at the request of the Americans and subsequently extradited to the U.S. Over the past 20 years, more than 100 Russians have fallen victim to this, being detained outside of Russia and subsequently extradited to America. Due to numerous extraterritorial sanctions, Russians who are unaware of the situation may also be at risk.

      What to do and which countries are dangerous

      The agency strongly recommends that citizens who have reason to believe they are targets of criminal prosecution by U.S. authorities or are on sanction lists avoid traveling to countries that have extradition treaties with America. This even applies to layovers at airports.

      The list of countries with an increased risk of detentions: It is particularly noted that U.S. intelligence services often use fraudulent schemes: Russians are lured abroad with attractive commercial or tourist offers. Upon arrival in a country with an extradition treaty with the U.S., they are detained by local authorities for further transfer to American jurisdiction. Stopping this process, according to the Ministry, is extremely difficult. The ministry also reminds that before traveling, it is necessary to have the coordinates and contacts of Russian diplomatic missions abroad.