Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has called his Tajik counterpart to explain Russia´s anti-terrorism measures at border points, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said on April 30, following Tajikistan’s complaints that its citizens are being singled out for tough treatment on arrival at Moscow’s airports.
Russian foreign minister reportedly made a telephone call to provide detailed explanations regarding the border checks implemented by Russian services.
Lavrov emphasized that these measures aim to prevent terrorism, particularly in light of the recent terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall.
Lavrov reassured 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 emphasized the importance of maintaining the long-standing strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Tajikistan.
Initiated by the top Russian diplomat, the telephone call was made a day after Russian Ambassador to Tajikistan Semyon Grigoryev was summoned to the Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan to hand him a note of protect.
In the note of protest, Tajikistan expresses serious concern about widespread manifestations of an emphatically negative attitude to nationals of Tajikistan in the territory of the Russian Federation as well as widespread violation of their rights and freedoms.
The note, in particular, says this type of action is applied exclusively to citizens of Tajikistan, which is fundamentally incompatible with the spirit and traditions of Tajikistan-Russia relations.
Recall, Ambassador Grigoryev was invited to the Tajik MFA on April 26, and during the meeting, issues related to difficulties Tajik nationals have faced in recent weeks during crossing the border of the Russian Federation were discussed.
On April 28, the Tajik Foreign Ministry said that about 1000 Tajik nationals have been left stranded at Moscow airports due to tightened passport and custom controls in the wake of a terror attack last month. Hundreds of arriving Tajiks have been informed that they are barred from entering Russia, leaving them inside the airport as they seek a resolution.
A day earlier, the ministry called on Tajik citizens not to travel to Russia. Rights groups said the ministry's 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 that left 144 people dead.
