34 Russian Women Detained in Ankara Face Deportation From Turkey
Turkish police detained 34 Russian women in nightclub raids in Ankara on Oct. 23, and they now face deportation over alleged public order and morality violations. Russia's embassy says it is working to provide consular assistance.
Thirty-four Russian women detained in police raids on nightclubs in Ankara, Turkey's capital, face deportation from the country on charges of violating public order and morality. Russia's Embassy in Turkey said so on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in comments carried by the state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti. The detentions took place on Oct. 23.
Where the women are held
According to the reports, the women are being kept at a deportation center in Ankara while they wait for a court hearing. The embassy said it had taken steps to secure consular access to them, find out why they were detained and assess the conditions in which they are held.
Turkish authorities reportedly confiscated the women's mobile phones but let them contact relatives by landline. They are said to have local legal representation.
Unverified claims by Baza
The Telegram channel Baza, which has links to Russia's security services, reported that more than 100 women, mostly from post-Soviet countries, were detained in Turkey during the raids. Citing a friend of one of the women, the channel said they had been recruited abroad with promises of monthly pay of up to $2,500, work visas and accommodation in five-star hotels, to work as dancers, singers and DJs in nightclubs.
Baza alleges that the women were later forced to pressure guests into buying expensive drinks and spending time with patrons. The Moscow Times said it could not independently verify the report.
