Extended Detention of Cyclist Sofiane Sehili in Russia Lasts Until 4th October
In a series of unexpected events, two foreigners, French cyclist Sofiane Sehili and American basketball player Brittney Griner, have found themselves in Russian custody.
Sofiane Sehili, a record holder for ultra-long distances and a specialist in ultra-cycling, shared his attempt to cycle from Lisbon to Vladivostok on his Instagram account, which boasts nearly 50,000 subscribers. His last post was on September 1, but since then, there has been no update from the cyclist.
On September 2, Sehili claimed on his social media that he was stuck at the border between China and Russia after attempting to enter Russia twice. However, there is no public information confirming that he attempted to enter Russia at another border before his arrest on the same day. The reason for Sehili's arrest has not been specified.
France reacted to his detention on September 8, with the French consulate in Moscow taking up the matter with Russian authorities and requesting consular protection.
Meanwhile, Brittney Griner, a WNBA star, was detained after being arrested with cannabis oil in February 2022. Her detention has been extended until October 4, as announced by the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti on September 17.
Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher specialising in the post-Soviet space, is another foreigner facing arbitrary arrests in Russia. He was employed in Russia by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a Swiss NGO that mediates in conflicts outside official diplomatic channels. In late August, Vinatier was again brought before Russian justice on charges of "espionage". The court's decision to impose provisional detention was made on September 6.
Russia's increasing arbitrary arrests of citizens of Kyiv's allied countries have raised concerns globally. Both Sehili and Vinatier, along with Griner, are examples of foreigners facing such arbitrary arrests in Russia.
Since 2016, Sehili has participated in over 25 races and won eleven of them. In 2017, he connected Paris to Taiwan (16,000 km) in three months. Sofiane Sehili's current whereabouts and condition remain unknown, leaving his supporters and the cycling community at large in anticipation for his release.
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