Tajik migrant exodus from Russia escalates following terror attack
The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of Tajikistan has observed an exodus of migrant workers from Russia following a terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall. The attack resulted in 144 fatalities and 551 injuries. Additionally, there has been a rise in the number of attacks based on nationality.
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"There are many phone calls," said Deputy Minister Shakhnoza Nodiri. "It's fear among our citizens. Panic, many want to leave. We are currently monitoring the situation. More people are arriving in Tajikistan than leaving," Nodiri emphasised.
raids by the services and mass inspections
The Ministry hopes that this departure is temporary and will cease. It appealed to "not succumb to provocative messages on the internet that aim to sow ethnic hatred".
The Deputy Minister added that harassment of Tajik citizens is being recorded "on a daily basis", and threats were received by the ministry’s representation in Russia after the terrorist attack.
On March 29, the human rights project "First Department" reported that in St. Petersburg, law enforcement is conducting a wide-scale operation aimed at identifying and deporting foreigners without the right to stay in Russia.
A lawyer representing some foreigners stated that mass expulsions are occurring, and this process is happening at Pulkovo Airport.
After the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall's concert hall, Russian law enforcement announced that four suspects - citizens of Tajikistan, along with several alleged accomplices, were captured. The men were brutalized during interrogation, which cast doubt on the credibility of their testimonies.
Checks on individuals with an "oriental appearance" have intensified in Moscow.
In Russian cities, people refused to travel in taxis with drivers from Tajikistan, and leaders of the Tajik diaspora - as reported by Baza - advise their fellow citizens not to go out in the evenings. Employees of a hairdressing salon, where one of the detainees had worked for just under three months, began receiving threats en masse.
According to the Russian BBC service, the number of cases before Moscow courts has increased last week due to violations of the entry rules into the Russian Federation.
On March 27, migration services conducted a raid on the Wildberrier warehouse in the city of Elektrostal near Moscow. Several people were detained and transported to the military registration and enlistment office.
Attack on Crocus City Hall
On March 22, terrorists targeted the audience at a concert in Crocus City Hall, opening fire and detonating explosive devices. This led to a fire, causing the building's roof to collapse.
A statement from the Moscow branch of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations on Saturday confirmed that 144 people died, and 551 were injured.
The Islamic State's Khorasan Province, the Afghan branch of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), claimed responsibility for the attack.
