Russians bikers in Iraq jail: We were beaten, threatened with death penalty

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Published time: May 24, 2012 09:43
Edited time: May 24, 2012 18:28

The men from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tula were travelling through the Middle East. (Photo from ruriders.com)

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Accident, Iraq, Security, Transport, Vehicles

Four Russian bikers arrested in Iraq for alleged visa violations four days ago say they were beaten in jail and threatened with the death penalty. Iraq’s president told the Russian ambassador the men would be released soon, but no dates were given.

The bikers’ attorney Aleksandr Orlov says he is waiting for more information to come on Friday morning.

The Ministry is taking all the necessary measures to help the bikers. Aleksandr Lukashevich, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that the country’s embassy in Iraq will put in all efforts to seek the bikers’ speedy release and their return back home.

Meanwhile, fellow bikers have gathered at Iraq’s embassy in Moscow to protest the arrests and show support for the travelers.

Bikers gathered outside Iraq’s embassy in Moscow to deliver a petition in support of the detained travelers. RIA Novosti / Grigory Sysoev

By 13:00 GMT (17:00 Moscow time) up to 200 people came to the embassy. They have delivered a petition to Iraq’s envoy in Russia, asking to release the travelers. The paper has been signed by more than 300 bikers.

The bikers from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tula were heading towards Baghdad when they were first blocked by a US convoy.

The tourists attempted to bypass the convoy by heading north of the capital through the city of Kirkuk.

Members of the St. Petersburg motorcycle club said the bikers were detained in Kirkuk, but were quickly released after contacting the Russian Consulate. Afterwards, they continued moving towards the capital, but were repeatedly detained by men in military uniform who did not introduce themselves.

Their text messages suggest they were finally taken to a military prison at a base in Baghdad, handcuffed, and that all their belongings were taken away except for one hidden mobile phone.

Suddenly at night they texted they were being beaten, accused of espionage and visa forgery and threatened with the death penalty.

Now some Russian media report their detention conditions have been improved after Russian diplomats intervened. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman however admitted on Thursday that the bikers entered Iraq from Turkey without valid Iraqi visas.

Members of the St. Petersburg motorcycle club said the bikers were experienced travellers and had got their paperwork ready before the trip.

“They are some of the most experienced motorbike tourists in Russia. They have travelled most of the world, all continents,” said Aleksandr Orlov.

Bikers heading to Iraq’s embassy in Moscow. RIA Novosti / Grigory Sysoev

Comments (23)

Tom (unregistered) 05.01.2013 17:32

The Anglo-Irish crusaders probably thought that the bikers were undercover FSB. Based on their names and fat appearances however, it looks like they were MOSSAD.

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Alexander Sternberg (unregistered) 29.05.2012 08:25

Some clarification on the visa question for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq:

C itizens of the European Union, the United States and Canada, of New Zealand and Australia may enter the Kurdistan Region without a visa or any other formality. They will get an entrance stamp at the border or at the two international airports of the region that is valid for a 10 day visit. If they want to stay longer, they have to get a prolongation by visiting the local Residence Department in Erbil. None of these permissions are valid in the rest of Iraq that is outside the official border of the Region as defined in the Iraqi constitution.

For citizens of other than the above mentioned states for entering the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, it is necessary to obtain a clearance by the Ministry of the Interior of the Region. In order to get this clearance you will have get in touch with the nearest Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government. In the case of the Russian Federation this would either be in Moscow or in Berlin, Germany. The procedure is simple and takes about 10 days; simply send in the copy or scan (by e-mail attachment) of the relevant data page of your passport and state the date and purpose of your visit to Kurdistan. Important: This Kurdish clearance does not allow you to travel to the rest of Iraq. The relevant addresses in Berlin and Moscow are on the Kurdistan Regional Government web site www.krg.org .

A map of the official borders of the Region towards the rest of Iraq will be available from the representation in Berlin or on the web.

As for the Kurdistan Region: Any tourist from which ever country is certainly still highly welcome to the Region as long as they stay within the official borders of the KRG. We are sorry for the lack of tolerance on the side of the rest of Iraq, and not only on this issue. However, the group would be most welcome to revisit the Kurdistan Region, as would any other biker or tourist from wherever, so as to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful mountain routes and the exceptionally hospitable people.

The Region is perfectly safe and comfortable and has a relatively well developed infrastructure to accommodate any tourist of any category.
Alexander Sternberg

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PotFace 25.05.2012 06:46

Who the hell would want to go to Iraq anyway? For every Russian that wants to go to Iraq, I can show you 10,000 Iraqis that are eager to leave. I mean, surely they must have seen this coming...... it's not like one needs to have a degree in geopolitical science to know better......

Sympathy awarded: none.

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