Embassy Warns Russians of 'Psychological Pressure' at UK Airports

The Russian Embassy in London issued a statement on Monday afternoon, warning Russian nationals that Britain could attempt to exercise "political or psychological pressure" on them by detaining and searching them at the airport, regardless of their possession of a valid UK visa.

The embassy's statement describes one example of such a detention in which a Russian citizen with a valid UK visa was detained at London's Heathrow airport and, according to the embassy, questioned by officials for "over seven hours," showing particular interest in how money she had.

"No one can be certain that such exercises upon Russian citizens at the UK entry points won't be practiced on a regular basis by the British side at any time as a matter of political or psychological pressure within the present context of our bilateral relationship," the statement read.

On Tuesday, the embassy released another report which said that the episode they had previously described "was not an isolated instance", though it failed to give any further details. The statement also asked Russian citizens to phone the embassy's emergency hotline if they have had a similar experience, adding that the hotline already receives "tens of calls every week" though it did not specify how many of them pertained to visa problems.

Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian ambassador to the UK took to Twitter on Tuesday, accusing the UK of pressuring Russian diplomats, saying that the British government was using "visa chicanery" to impede the work of the Russian mission in London.

UK squeezes Russian diplomats out by visa chicanery, thus reducing Embassy staff. Incompatible with intl obligations. pic.twitter.com/WEJYbBgmao

— Alexander Yakovenko (@Amb_Yakovenko) August 4, 2015

Speaking to Russian news agency RIA Novosti shortly after, Yakovenko alleged that the UK sets tight deadlines on the length of time Russian diplomats can stay in the UK "in spite of international obligations"

Yakovenko also took to the Russian Embassy's website to explain he believed that the UK was deliberately slowing down the issuing of visas to Russian diplomatic staff, resulting in some staff's visas expiring before they have a replacement, forcing them to return home.

The UK Home Office refused to comment on individual instances and insisted that issuing visas and granting entry to the country are executed in accordance with the UK's immigration rules on a uniform basis.

"The majority of passengers holding visas do not encounter delays during the verification process," a Home Office spokesperson said. "If there has been a change of circumstances or the person's intentions no longer meet the requirements or conditions attached to the visa, the visa will be cancelled"

"Border Force officers must ensure passengers, where necessary, have the appropriate visa and supporting documents to enter the UK. They also confirm the conditions of the visa continue to be met and there has been no change in circumstances." the spokesperson added, in reference to the Russian Embassy's statement about airport detentions. "This includes making sure false representations were not used to obtain the visa, and no facts were withheld."

The Home Office were not immediately available to comment on Yakovenko's statement that the UK had changed its procedures for Russian diplomatic visas.

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Lucy is the deputy news editor for Newsweek Europe. Twitter: @DraperLucy

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